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Baked Spaghetti Meatballs: A Delicious and Easy Recipe for Family Dinners

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Enjoy a comforting Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs, featuring tender meatballs in rich marinara sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined, being careful not to overmix.
  2. Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding around 20-24 meatballs.
  3. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  5. Bake the meatballs for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C).
  6. While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  7. Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
  8. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti in a colander without rinsing.
  9. In the same pot, add the marinara sauce and heat over medium heat, adding reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
  10. Once the meatballs are done, add them to the pot with the marinara sauce and gently stir to coat.
  11. Add the drained spaghetti to the pot and toss everything together until well combined, adding more reserved pasta water if necessary.
  12. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  13. In a large baking dish (about 9×13 inches), pour half of the spaghetti and meatball mixture into the bottom and spread evenly.
  14. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the first layer.
  15. Pour the remaining spaghetti and meatballs on top, spreading evenly.
  16. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and drizzle with olive oil.
  17. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  18. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Feel free to customize the meatballs with your favorite herbs or spices.
  • You can use whole wheat spaghetti or gluten-free pasta for a healthier option.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Find it online: https://anasrecipes.com/baked-spaghetti-meatballs/