Description

If you’re craving a comforting pasta dish that combines the richness of a creamy sauce with the heartiness of meatballs, this Creamy Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is just what you need. Perfectly seasoned beef meatballs are nestled in a velvety, cheesy cream sauce and tossed with spaghetti for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal.

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 lb ground beef
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 tbsp milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

For the Creamy Sauce:

2 tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional, for depth of flavor)

For the Spaghetti:

12 oz spaghetti
Salt for pasta water

For Garnish:

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan cheese for topping

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don’t overmix.
Roll into 1 to 1.5-inch balls and place on a plate.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total.
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain spaghetti and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Sprinkle in flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Pour in heavy cream and continue to stir.
Add Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Let the sauce simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add the cooked meatballs into the sauce and let them simmer for 5 minutes.
Toss the drained spaghetti into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
Stir gently to coat the pasta and meatballs evenly with the creamy sauce.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped parsley and extra Parmesan on top before serving.
Serve hot with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Notes

Don’t Overmix the Meat – Lightly mix ingredients to keep meatballs tender.
Brown First, Simmer Later – Searing locks in flavor; simmering finishes the cook.
Use Fresh Garlic – It gives the best aroma and depth.
Reserve Pasta Water – It helps bind the sauce to the pasta beautifully.
Grate Your Cheese – Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cuisine: American