Spaghetti and Meatballs
The very spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce from the romantic date: long pasta, tender meatballs and plenty of sauce.
Lady and the Tramp has cinema's most famous food scene: two dogs share one plate of spaghetti and accidentally meet over a single strand. Ever since, spaghetti and meatballs has been a symbol of a romantic dinner. We make the classic Italian version: juicy meatballs simmered right in a thick tomato sauce, with long pasta to soak up every drop.
🧺 Ingredients
🍽 3 servings👩🍳 Method
- 1
Meatballs
Mix the beef with egg, breadcrumbs, half the chopped onion and garlic, season and roll into small balls.
- 2
Sear
Sear the meatballs in olive oil on all sides until browned and set aside.
- 3
Sauce
In the same pan soften the remaining onion and garlic, pour in the passata, season and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 4
Simmer
Return the meatballs to the sauce and simmer gently for 15 minutes so they soak up the sauce and stay juicy.
- 5
Pasta and serving
Cook the spaghetti al dente, plate it, top with the meatballs in sauce and finish with parmesan and basil.
💡 Tips
- 💡
Do not pack the meat too tightly — looser meatballs come out more tender.
- 💡
Save half a cup of pasta water: a spoon of it binds the sauce to the spaghetti.
🔄 Swaps & variations
- 🔄
Spicy arrabbiata: add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a kick.
- 🔄
Meat-free: swap the meatballs for chickpea-and-mushroom balls.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is this the dish from the famous Lady and the Tramp date?
Yes. In the film the Tramp takes Lady to dinner where they share one plate of spaghetti and meatballs — the shared-strand scene became iconic. Our recipe recreates that dish.
Why simmer the meatballs in sauce instead of frying through?
Searing gives crust and flavor, but the meatballs finish cooking in the sauce — that keeps them juicy and infuses them with tomato.
Can I use a different meat?
Yes, a beef-pork blend adds juiciness, or turkey for a lighter version. The method stays the same.
What does cooking pasta al dente mean?
Al dente means "to the tooth": the pasta is cooked but keeps a slight bite in the center. Boil it one minute less than the package says.