{"id":226,"date":"2026-02-28T19:37:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/?p=226"},"modified":"2026-02-28T19:37:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T19:37:01","slug":"spaghetti-with-meatballs-in-rich-tomato-sauce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/?p=226","title":{"rendered":"Spaghetti with Meatballs in Rich Tomato Sauce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_5938.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_5938.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_5938-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_5938-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_5938-768x768.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A comforting family favorite made with tender homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce and served over perfectly cooked pasta. This hearty dish is simple, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Servings: 4\u20136<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prep Time: 20 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cook Time: 30 minutes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For the Meatballs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 lb (1 kg) ground beef<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 small onion, finely grated and squeezed dry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 tbsp breadcrumbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tsp salt<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bd tsp black pepper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00bd tsp all-spice or meat seasoning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pinch paprika (optional)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For the Pasta &amp; Sauce:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1 lb (500 g) spaghetti or penne pasta<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 tbsp olive oil<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3 garlic cloves, minced<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 cups tomato puree or crushed tomatoes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tbsp tomato paste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tsp sugar<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salt &amp; pepper to taste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pinch dried oregano or basil (optional)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresh parsley for garnish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Prepare the Meatballs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Mix well and shape into small meatballs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Brown the Meatballs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs until golden on all sides. They do not need to cook through completely. Remove and set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Make the Tomato Sauce<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the same pan, saut\u00e9 garlic for a few seconds until fragrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add tomato puree, tomato paste, sugar, and seasonings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simmer for about 5 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Return the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10\u201315 minutes until fully cooked and tender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Cook the Pasta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Serve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Place pasta on a serving plate, spoon the meatballs and sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Serving Suggestions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2714; Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2714; Serve with garlic bread<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#x2714; Add a side salad for a complete meal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A comforting family favorite made with tender homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce and served over perfectly cooked pasta. This hearty dish is simple, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners. Servings: 4\u20136 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Ingredients For the Meatballs: For the Pasta &amp; Sauce: Instructions 1&#xfe0f;&#x20e3; Prepare the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-family-dinner"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=226"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":228,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/226\/revisions\/228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mamaminimeals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}