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a bowl of spaghetti topped with three meatballs and fresh basil on a white plate next to a bottle of red wine
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5 from 7 votes

Spaghetti and Meatballs For One

This single serving spaghetti and meatballs recipe features tender, flavorful meatballs baked and simmered in sauce, served over pasta. Ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: ground beef, pasta, spaghetti, spaghetti and meatballs, tomato sauce
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic -minced
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 5 ounces ground beef
  • 3 ounces dried spaghetti (3 ounces of spaghetti is about 2½ inches around when bunched in your hand or roughly ¾ inch in diameter)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • fresh basil (optional)
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a food processor, combine the onion, garlic, parsley, and Parmesan. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the egg yolk and breadcrumbs and mix well. Stir in salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
  • Add the ground beef and mix until fully combined.
  • Roll into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs lift easily with a spatula.
  • In a 2-quart saucepan, bring the marinara or tomato sauce to a simmer. Add the meatballs, cover loosely, and simmer on low for 10 minutes.
  • While the meatballs simmer, boil water in a medium pot. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then drain.
  • Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce and meatballs.
  • Transfer to a bowl and top with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

Video

Notes

  • Mix Gently: Overmixing the meatball mixture can make them tough. Mix just until combined.
  • Shape Evenly Sized Meatballs: This helps them cook at the same rate. A small cookie scoop can help keep them uniform.
  • Bake on Foil for Easy Cleanup: Lining your baking sheet with foil makes cleanup quick and prevents sticking.
  • Simmer the Sauce: Letting the meatballs simmer in the sauce helps them absorb more flavor and keeps them moist.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 640kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 281mg | Sodium: 1943mg | Potassium: 1715mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 2657IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 267mg | Iron: 10mg

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