Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti and meatballs is one of those dinners that never feels out of place—easy enough for a weeknight, but comforting enough for a relaxed family dinner. In this version, tender meatballs simmer in a simple homemade tomato sauce with onion, garlic, oregano, and optional white wine, then get spooned over hot spaghetti.

Using pre-shaped meatballs keeps the prep simple, so dinner can be on the table in about 30 minutes. Finish each plate with Parmesan and fresh parsley for an easy, satisfying meal with very little fuss.

Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

14 uncooked meatballs
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, or 4 very ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine, optional
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 bay leaves
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Olive oil, as needed
Fresh parsley, for serving
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

For the Spaghetti

10.5 ounces spaghetti
Water, for cooking
1 tablespoon salt, for the pasta water

Instructions

1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large saucepan or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, and one bay leaf. Stir and cook for a few minutes, until the onion begins to soften and the tomatoes start to break down.

2. Remove the bay leaf. For a smoother tomato sauce, carefully blend the onion, garlic, and tomato mixture until creamy. You can skip this step if you prefer a chunkier sauce.

3. Return the tomato sauce to the pan and add the meatballs.

4. Pour in the white wine, if using, then season with oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and the remaining bay leaf.

5. Cover partially and let the meatballs simmer gently in the tomato sauce for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. If your meatballs are on the larger side, let them simmer for a few extra minutes.

6. While the meatballs cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until al dente.

7. Drain the spaghetti well.

8. Divide the spaghetti among serving plates and spoon the meatballs and plenty of warm tomato sauce over the top.

9. Finish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately while everything is hot.

Make It Your Own

You can easily adjust this recipe depending on what you have at home. Use your favorite beef, pork, turkey, or chicken meatballs, and add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

If you’d rather not use white wine, simply leave it out or add a splash of broth instead.

And although spaghetti is the classic choice, the meatballs and tomato sauce are also delicious served with mashed potatoes, rice, or even crusty bread for soaking up all that sauce.