Spaghetti and Meatballs with Homemade Baked Meatballs and Marinara Sauce Recipe
This classic Italian dinner features tender homemade baked meatballs simmered in a simple marinara sauce, served over perfectly cooked al dente spaghetti or bucatini. Garnished with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil, this comforting meal is both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 (12-ounce) box bucatini or spaghetti pasta
Sauce
- 2 cups Simple Marinara Sauce
Meatballs
- 24 Easy Homemade Baked Meatballs
Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishing
- Chopped fresh basil, for garnishing
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bucatini or spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and return it to the pot.
- Combine with Sauce and Meatballs: Add the prepared marinara sauce and baked meatballs to the pot with the cooked pasta. Gently toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta with the sauce and distribute the meatballs.
- Garnish and Serve: Dish the pasta and meatballs onto serving plates. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil for a burst of flavor and freshness before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute bucatini with spaghetti or any other long pasta of your preference.
- Make sure to cook the pasta to al dente to avoid it becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- If you don't have homemade meatballs, good quality store-bought baked meatballs can be used as a shortcut.
- For added flavor, warm the marinara sauce and meatballs together before tossing with pasta.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with parsley if desired.
