Pasta and noodles · Italian · 45 min
Classic Spaghetti & Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
- 45 min
- 2–6 servings
- 806 kcal / serving
A comforting weeknight dinner pairing al dente pasta with meatballs in a bright tomato sauce, finished with spinach for a touch of greens. The meatballs stay tender, while the sauce thickens gently and clings to the pasta.
Free on iPhone · servings scaled, grocery list written for you.
Ingredients
- ½ (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
- ½ (14.5 oz) candiced tomatoes
- 2 clovesgarlic
- ½ small bunchItalian (flat-leaf) parsley
- ¾ lblean ground beef
- ½ ozParmesan cheese
- 5 ozspaghetti pasta
- 1 (8 oz) cantomato sauce
- ½ mediumyellow onion
- yellow onions
From the pantry: black pepper, crushed red pepper, extra virgin olive oil, Italian seasoning, panko bread crumbs, salt
Cookware
can opener · chef's knife · colander · cutting board · garlic press (optional) · grater · measuring cups · measuring spoons · medium saucepan · mixing bowls · stainless steel sauté pan · stirring spoon · tongs
Kitchen help: cups to grams · tablespoons to cups · oven temperatures · butter conversions · what each cooking tool is for · ingredient substitutes
More recipes with: ground beef
More dinner ideas: easy dinners
Shopping list by aisle
Produce
- ½ (5 oz) pkgbaby spinach
- 2 clovesgarlic
- ½ small bunchItalian (flat-leaf) parsley
- ½ mediumyellow onion
- yellow onions
Meat & seafood
- ¾ lblean ground beef
Dairy, eggs & chilled
- ½ ozParmesan cheese
Pantry & dry goods
- ½ (14.5 oz) candiced tomatoes
- 5 ozspaghetti pasta
- 1 (8 oz) cantomato sauce
4 aisles for this recipe. Plan a week in MealPot and it merges every dinner into one list in this order, scaled to your household.
Ingredients for 2, 4 and 6 servings
| Ingredient | 2 servings | 4 servings | 6 servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| baby spinach | ½ (5 oz) pkg | 1 (5 oz) pkg | 1 ½ (5 oz) pkgs |
| diced tomatoes | ½ (14.5 oz) can | 1 (14.5 oz) can | 1 ½ (14.5 oz) cans |
| garlic | 2 cloves | 4 cloves | 6 cloves |
| Italian (flat-leaf) parsley | ½ small bunch | 1 small bunch | 1 ½ small bunches |
| lean ground beef | ¾ lb | 1 ½ lb | 2 ¼ lb |
| Parmesan cheese | ½ oz | 1 oz | 1 ½ oz |
| spaghetti pasta | 5 oz | 10 oz | 15 oz |
| tomato sauce | 1 (8 oz) can | 2 (8 oz) cans | 3 (8 oz) cans |
| yellow onion | ½ medium | 1 medium | 1 ½ medium |
Quantities in US units. Any other household size: MealPot scales the recipe and the grocery list for you.
Directions
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta; when it boils, add the spaghetti and cook until just tender, then drain.
- Meanwhile, combine the ground beef with bread crumbs, half the parsley, half the onion, half the garlic, and your spices; mix just until evenly blended and firm.
- Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs and set them aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; brown the meatballs, turning to color all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes total. Remove them to a plate.
- Add a bit more olive oil to the skillet, then cook the remaining onion and garlic until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings; return the meatballs to the pan and simmer on medium-low until the meat is cooked through and the sauce thickens, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach until wilted, grate Parmesan over the top, then portion the pasta and top with sauce, meatballs, extra parsley, and more Parmesan as desired.
Two tips
- Tip: Prep the garlic and onion, and chop parsley ahead; store in the fridge for quick assembly.
- Tip: Keep leftovers in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water; add extra spinach to brighten the sauce when serving the next day.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 806 kcal
- Protein
- 48 g
- Carbs
- 72 g
- Fat
- 36 g
- Fiber
- 8 g
- Sodium
- 205 mg
Estimates from the recipe's published nutrition data; they change with the version you pick above.
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Ingredient quantities, timing and nutrition follow the original Mealime recipe ↗ (captured 2026-09-12). The photo is MealPot's AI-rendered illustration of the finished dish; the description, directions, aisle list and serving table are MealPot's.