Step into nostalgia with our Old-School Spaghetti recipe, a timeless classic that’s sure to bring back cherished memories. This comforting dish features perfectly cooked spaghetti coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a hint of olive oil. Embrace the simplicity and heartwarming flavors of this traditional recipe, perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1/2 pound of ground pork
• 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 (28-ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)

For the Spaghetti:

• 12 ounces of spaghetti
• Salt for boiling water
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meatballs:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef and ground pork.
   • In a separate bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk until they become soft.
   • Add soaked breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, and black pepper to the meat mixture.
   • Mix everything together until well combined, but avoid overmixing, as it can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape the Meatballs:
   • With clean hands, gently shape the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This should yield around 20-24 meatballs.
3. Cook the Meatballs:
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Brown the meatballs on all sides until they’re cooked through and nicely browned. Remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
4. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
   • In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed.
   • Sauté finely chopped onion and minced garlic until they become translucent.
   • Pour in the crushed tomatoes, sugar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
   • Add the browned meatballs into the sauce.
   • Simmer the sauce and meatballs together for about 30-45 minutes over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
5. Cook the Spaghetti:
   • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
   • Drain the cooked spaghetti.
6. Serve the Old-School Spaghetti:
   • Place a portion of cooked spaghetti on each plate.
   • Spoon the rich tomato sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti.
   • Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.

Old-School Spaghetti is a comforting and hearty meal that brings people together. Its nostalgic flavors and satisfying meatballs make it a classic favorite for both family dinners and special occasions. Enjoy this timeless Italian dish and take a trip down memory lane with every delicious bite!