Best Spaghetti & Meatballs Recipe

Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef with bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, egg, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined, then form the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer browned meatballs to a clean plate.

In the same pot, sauté the chopped onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and bay leaf, then season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then return the meatballs to the pot and cover. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve the cooked spaghetti topped with a generous portion of meatballs and sauce, and sprinkle additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.