{
  "schemaVersion": 3,
  "rankingVersion": "v1",
  "rankingMethod": "CrowdScore lift-over-site with shrinkage; public claim is rank order only",
  "generatedAt": "2026-09-01T21:18:40.852Z",
  "origin": "https://guddish.com",
  "page": "https://guddish.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs.html",
  "dish": {
    "key": "spaghetti-and-meatballs",
    "label": "Spaghetti and Meatballs"
  },
  "cookValidated": true,
  "product": "guddish",
  "guddish": {
    "name": "GüdDish Spaghetti and Meatballs",
    "url": "https://guddish.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs.html",
    "yield": "serves 4 to 6",
    "times": {
      "prepMin": 30,
      "cookMin": 45,
      "totalMin": 75
    },
    "ingredients": [
      "1 lb spaghetti",
      "2 lb ground beef (80 to 85% lean), or 1 1/2 lb beef + 1/2 lb ground pork",
      "1 large egg",
      "1/2 cup grated Parmesan, divided",
      "3 garlic cloves, minced",
      "1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes",
      "1 yellow onion, finely chopped",
      "2 tbs olive oil",
      "1/2 cup breadcrumbs",
      "1/2 tsp red pepper flakes",
      "8 fresh basil leaves",
      "2 tbs fresh parsley, chopped",
      "1 tsp ground black pepper",
      "1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water"
    ],
    "steps": [
      {
        "n": 1,
        "text": "In a large bowl, mix the beef with the breadcrumbs, egg, half of the Parmesan, parsley, a third of the garlic, salt, and pepper. Stop when it looks even.\nRoll into golf ball size meatballs and set on a plate."
      },
      {
        "n": 2,
        "text": "Heat the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium high heat.\nBrown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches. Set them on a plate.\nLower the heat to medium. Add the onion to the same skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.\nAdd the remaining garlic and the red pepper flakes. Stir 30 seconds.\nPour in the crushed tomatoes. Season with salt.\nTuck in the basil. Return the meatballs to the skillet. Simmer gently 15 to 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through."
      },
      {
        "n": 3,
        "text": "Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.\nAdd the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook until just shy of done. Scoop out 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain."
      },
      {
        "n": 4,
        "text": "Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with a splash of the pasta water. Toss until coated.\nTake the pan off the heat. Add the remaining Parmesan and toss once more.\nServe the spaghetti with the meatballs on top."
      }
    ]
  },
  "answer": {
    "type": "guddish",
    "name": "GüdDish Spaghetti and Meatballs",
    "url": "https://guddish.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs.html"
  },
  "rankingAnswer": {
    "rank": 1,
    "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe",
    "site": "natashaskitchen.com",
    "url": "https://natashaskitchen.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/",
    "rating5": 4.94,
    "ratingCount": 687,
    "liftOverSite": 0.3674970974707348,
    "siteBaseline": 4.570363181437733
  },
  "ranking": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe",
      "site": "natashaskitchen.com",
      "url": "https://natashaskitchen.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/",
      "rating5": 4.94,
      "ratingCount": 687,
      "liftOverSite": 0.3674970974707348,
      "siteBaseline": 4.570363181437733,
      "tier": "legendary"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "name": "Spaghetti & Meatballs",
      "site": "onceuponachef.com",
      "url": "https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/spaghetti-and-meatballs.html",
      "rating5": 4.93,
      "ratingCount": 169,
      "liftOverSite": 0.3524069370797731,
      "siteBaseline": 4.569252070326622,
      "tier": "epic"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "spendwithpennies.com",
      "url": "https://www.spendwithpennies.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs/",
      "rating5": 4.99,
      "ratingCount": 58,
      "liftOverSite": 0.3873663428127294,
      "siteBaseline": 4.575918736993289,
      "tier": "epic"
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "name": "Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "food.com",
      "url": "https://www.food.com/recipe/easy-spaghetti-and-meatballs-140839",
      "rating5": 4.883720930232558,
      "ratingCount": 46,
      "liftOverSite": 0.3426983219663029,
      "siteBaseline": 4.511222754182229,
      "tier": "epic"
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "sipandfeast.com",
      "url": "https://www.sipandfeast.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs/",
      "rating5": 5,
      "ratingCount": 25,
      "liftOverSite": 0.36462944128931074,
      "siteBaseline": 4.5770298481044,
      "tier": "epic"
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "name": "Greek Spaghetti & Meatballs",
      "site": "foodnetwork.com",
      "url": "https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/greek-spaghetti-and-meatballs-11679828",
      "rating5": 4.9,
      "ratingCount": 16,
      "liftOverSite": 0.4008012596750721,
      "siteBaseline": 4.39899842540616,
      "tier": "amazing"
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "saltandlavender.com",
      "url": "https://www.saltandlavender.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs/",
      "rating5": 5,
      "ratingCount": 15,
      "liftOverSite": 0.33392380412810496,
      "siteBaseline": 4.5770298481044,
      "tier": "amazing"
    },
    {
      "rank": 8,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "thereciperebel.com",
      "url": "https://www.thereciperebel.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs/",
      "rating5": 4.95,
      "ratingCount": 17,
      "liftOverSite": 0.3064255726985543,
      "siteBaseline": 4.571474292548845,
      "tier": "amazing"
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "name": "Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe",
      "site": "thecozycook.com",
      "url": "https://thecozycook.com/spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe/",
      "rating5": 5,
      "ratingCount": 11,
      "liftOverSite": 0.31017811139010654,
      "siteBaseline": 4.5770298481044,
      "tier": "amazing"
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "name": "Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs",
      "site": "jocooks.com",
      "url": "https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/classic-spaghetti-and-meatballs/",
      "rating5": 4.66,
      "ratingCount": 80,
      "liftOverSite": 0.11499802826036021,
      "siteBaseline": 4.539252070326622,
      "tier": "amazing"
    }
  ],
  "corpus": {
    "nRated": 91,
    "nSites": 22,
    "totalVotes": 3163,
    "confidenceOverall": 0.8665265221031104,
    "pRunnerUpWins": 0.15820153170308715,
    "pipelineVersion": "2.1",
    "scoredAt": "2026-08-04T14:00:48.476Z",
    "contenderMinVotes": 10,
    "poolSize": 91
  },
  "status": {
    "freeze": null,
    "frozenAt": null,
    "reSyncedAt": null,
    "knownGaps": []
  },
  "method": "https://guddish.com/method.html",
  "coverage": "https://guddish.com/coverage.html"
}