This spaghetti and meatballs recipe, straight from the Pioneer Woman, is simply the best! It’s no wonder this amazing recipe comes from Ree Drummond, as her recipes consistently deliver fantastic results. Originally featured in her “Charlie” children’s book series, this recipe has also become a popular favorite online. Get ready for incredibly moist and flavorful meatballs paired with a truly delicious sauce. If you’re a spaghetti lover like me, always on the hunt for the perfect recipe, then look no further. This Pioneer Woman spaghetti and meatballs is destined to become a regular dish in your meal rotation. Serve it with a classic Caesar salad and some garlic bread for a complete and satisfying dinner that the whole family will adore.
Delicious Pioneer Woman Spaghetti and Meatballs served with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Spaghetti & Meatballs
Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup bread crumbs (from about 2 slices of thick bread, processed)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- Splash of milk
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs recipe, including ground beef, tomatoes, and spices.
Instructions for Making Pioneer Woman Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs
Meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, Italian parsley, and a splash of milk.
- Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Roll the mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.
Sauce:
- While the meatballs are baking, prepare the spaghetti sauce. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the canned whole tomatoes and crushed tomatoes. Add salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, sugar, and chopped Italian parsley.
- Stir everything together well to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the sauce directly in the pot. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer some of the sauce to a regular blender, blend, and return it to the pot.
- Gently add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and stir to coat them.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir gently a few times during this simmering time.
- Just before serving, stir in the finely chopped fresh basil.
Serve the Pioneer Woman spaghetti and meatballs hot over cooked spaghetti. Garnish each serving with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy this comforting and delicious meal!
