Homemade baked meatballs and a simple marinara sauce make this Spaghetti and Meatballs an easy, classic Italian dinner they’ll devour!

A large white serving bowl filled with spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti is garnished with three fresh basil leaves.

Classic for a Reason

Al dente pasta, a simple sauce and savory meatballs — it’s classic Spaghetti and Meatballs night and I’ll be going back for seconds. If you need midweek dinner inspiration, you just can’t go wrong with a big bowl of steaming, delicious pasta and my perfectly seasoned baked meatballs recipe. My kids would eat it every night if they could!

A large white plate with spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti is garnished with three fresh basil leaves.

How to Make Simple Marinara Sauce

Learn how to make a Simple Marinara Sauce for pasta, pizzas or as a dip for appetizers. Homemade marinara is so flavorful, you’ll never want go back to jarred sauce again!

A large pot with red marinara sauce in it. A wooden spoon with a white handle is sticking out of the pot.

Choose Your Noodle!

Confession: we don’t use spaghetti in our spaghetti and meatballs. Once we discovered bucatini, there was no going back. Bucatini is a long noodle, like spaghetti, but it has a tiny hole through it like ziti does, but much smaller. This tube down the middle traps a little of the sauce giving pasta dishes this extra layer of amazingness. Try it! You won’t be sorry!

A white dutch oven filled with Spaghetti and Meatballs.

What Do I Need to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs?

Ingredients for Spaghetti and meatballs in white dishes on a white marble counter.

How to Make Spaghetti and Meatballs

  • Cook the bucatini or spaghetti al dente according to package directions, drain and return to pot.
A large white dutch oven full of long thin noodles.
A large white dutch oven with spaghetti noodles, red sauce and meatballs.
  • Gently toss to combine. Garnish with the Parmesan and basil when serving, if desired.
A white dutch oven filled with Spaghetti and Meatballs.

More Italian Dinner Night Faves

  • Chicken Parmesan: Tender, juicy breaded chicken cutlets under melting cheese and a layer of perfectly simple marinara sauce. Make dinner an event to remember with delicious Homemade Chicken Parmesan.
  • Tuscan Tortellini Soup: This Tuscan Tortellini Soup is a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for a chilly winter day. It’s so easy to make and is bursting with delicious Tuscan flavors!
  • Ravioli Lasagna: A creamy spinach and ricotta filling between layers of cheese ravioli and an Italian sausage pasta sauce all topped with melting mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. It’s heaven in a casserole dish! Ravioli Lasagna is a hearty, filling, delicious dinner that’s easy to make and everyone loves!
  • Chicken Parmesan Casserole: No boiling pasta or breading chicken to make this Chicken Parmesan Casserole. An incredibly easy and fun spin on a classic the whole family will love!

How to Store Spaghetti and Meatballs

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Reheat in a covered microwave-safe dish with a little water or some extra marinara sauce, in 30 second intervals, until heated through. 

A large white plate with spaghetti and meatballs.

If you make this Spaghetti and Meatballs and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes and ideas I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,

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More Hot Meals in Minutes

Get family dinner on the table in about 30 minutes with My Favorite Hot Meals in Minutes. These delicious and quick dinner recipes are perfect for weeknight meals when time is short and the crowd is hungry.

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A large white plate with spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti is garnished with three fresh basil leaves.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

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  • Author: The BakerMama

Description

Homemade baked meatballs and a simple marinara sauce make this Spaghetti and Meatballs an easy, classic Italian dinner they’ll devour!


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Cook the bucatini or spaghetti to al dente according to package directions, drain and return to pot.
  2. Add the prepared marinara sauce and baked meatballs to the pot with the cooked pasta. Gently toss to combine.
  3. Garnish with the Parmesan and basil when serving.

About The BakerMama

Maegan is the author of her best-selling Beautiful Boards, Spectacular Spreads and Brilliant Bites cookbooks. She started blogging in 2012 and features hundreds of original recipes on The BakerMama. She truly enjoys sharing her easy, family-friendly recipes, creative meal ideas, food board creations, and entertaining spreads to encourage others to get in the kitchen and make something memorable for their loved ones to enjoy together. Learn More

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Comments

  1. Fantastic flavor in the meatballs! I added chopped onions and minced red peppers to a jar of marinara sauce for a delicious quick meal!






    1. Hi, Dorothy! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I definitely default to the jarred sauce sometimes, too. So happy you tried it.