Name: Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced; 2 sprigs basil; 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes; Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper; 3 thick slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed; 2 large eggs, beaten to blend; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1/3 cup fresh whole-milk ricotta; 1/4 cup finely chopped prosciutto; 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, plus more; 3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds; 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more; 1 pound ground beef chuck, preferably 20% fat; 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more; 12 ounces spaghetti; Torn basil (for serving; optional); A spice mill or mortar and pestle

Photo of one of our classic pasta recipes classic spaghetti and meatballs on a platter with wine alongside.

Photo by Marcus Nilsson

Saying these are better than our nonna's would be a bad idea, but she'll never know if we just think it.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

55 Ways to Cook With Canned Whole Tomatoes
Dust off that can of tomatoes in the back of your pantry—you're looking at dinner.
65 Kid-Friendly Pasta Recipes
Simple, hearty bowls of noodles that will get dinner on the table quickly and please everyone in the family.
41 Ways to Cook With Ground Beef
It's not just for burgers, you know.
What to Cook This Weekend: April 6-8
Coffee-flavored waffles, spaghetti and meatballs, and perfect buttery omelettes—your weekend just got good.

Pasta Alla Mezcal

This marinara sauce is great tossed with any pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that will leave you thinking, “Why didn’t anyone try this sooner?”

Berberger Pasta

This comforting cheeseburger-inspired pasta from Kiano Moju is bolstered by berbere spice.

Halloumi Lasagna

In this lasagna, soft layers of pasta and béchamel are interspersed with a rich tomato sauce laden with hearty Mediterranean vegetables.

Tortellini in Preserved Lemon Brodo

A quick-fix dinner thanks to store-bought tortellini and chicken broth.

Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Spaghetti)

Spaghetti is a common variation in modern Thai cooking. It’s so easy to work with and absorbs the garlicky, spicy notes of pad kee mao well.

Stir-Fried Phở Noodles With Beef

This dish is not only a quick meal option but also a practical way to use leftover phở noodles when you’re out of broth.

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Cajun-Creole shrimp is combined with a light cream sauce, and two together are off-the-charts delicious. It’s full of flavor without being too spicy.

Spaghetti With Poblano Chile Sauce

Mexican pasta probably isn’t something you’ve thought about before, but this poblano sauce may have you rethinking your devotion to the red variety.

Recipe notes

55 Ways to Cook With Canned Whole Tomatoes

65 Kid-Friendly Pasta Recipes

41 Ways to Cook With Ground Beef

What to Cook This Weekend: April 6-8