Olive Garden Spaghetti And Meatballs
This recipe recreates Olive Garden's spaghetti and meatballs, featuring tender meatballs, a rich marinara sauce, and perfectly cooked spaghetti. The detailed guide provides all the ingredients and steps needed to achieve a restaurant-quality dish at home.
Ingredients
Essential Ingredients for the Meatballs
- Ground Beef: 1 pound
- Ground Pork: 1/2 pound
- Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
- Eggs: 2 large
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, grated
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Dried Parsley: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Olive Oil: For frying the meatballs
Ingredients for the Marinara Sauce
- Crushed Tomatoes: 28 ounces, 1 can
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tablespoon
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
Ingredients for the Spaghetti
- Spaghetti Pasta: 1 pound
- Salt: For seasoning the pasta water
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (to prevent sticking)
Instructions
Preparing the Meatballs
- Mixing the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, and seasoning. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shaping the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into small, even-sized balls. Ensure they are firm but not too tight.
- Cooking the Meatballs: In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Marinara Sauce
- Sautéing the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until translucent and fragrant.
- Adding the Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Add Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmering the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Incorporating the Meatballs: Add the browned meatballs to the sauce and let them cook in the sauce for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Cooking the Spaghetti
- Boiling the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Draining the Pasta: Drain the spaghetti and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
Assembling the Dish
- Plating the Spaghetti: Serve the cooked spaghetti on a large plate or in a bowl.
- Adding the Meatballs and Sauce: Top the spaghetti with the meatballs and marinara sauce.
- Garnishing: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.