Nothing beats the classic comfort of a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs. From Italian-inspired chains to American family favorites, restaurants across the country have perfected this timeless dish in their own unique ways.
Whether you crave traditional recipes passed down through generations or modern twists that add unexpected flavors, these 20 restaurant chains serve up the most mouthwatering spaghetti and meatballs worth driving across town for.
1. Olive Garden’s Famous Spaghetti & Meatballs
Holy pasta heaven! Olive Garden’s spaghetti and meatballs has achieved cult status for good reason. Their perfectly al dente pasta swimming in rich, garlicky marinara sauce deserves a standing ovation.
The meatballs? Absolute showstoppers—tender, juicy beef-and-pork spheres of happiness that practically melt when your fork hits them. Each one packs a flavor punch that screams homemade Italian cooking.
2. Carrabba’s Italian Grill’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Forget everything you thought you knew about restaurant chain pasta! Carrabba’s elevates the humble spaghetti and meatballs to an art form with their wood-fired cooking techniques that infuse subtle smokiness into every bite.
The hand-rolled meatballs steal the spotlight—a magical blend of beef, pork, and Italian herbs that your grandmother would approve of. They’re seared to perfection before being gently simmered in Carrabba’s signature pomodoro sauce.
3. Maggiano’s Little Italy’s Spaghetti With Meatballs
Size matters at Maggiano’s, where their legendary meatballs are practically the size of baseballs! These hefty beauties arrive perched atop a mountain of perfectly cooked spaghetti like meaty kings surveying their kingdom.
The sauce deserves its own fan club—a slow-simmered marinara with hints of fresh basil and a touch of sweetness that balances the savory meatballs. Each forkful delivers that authentic Italian-American flavor that makes you want to kiss your fingertips like a cartoon chef.
4. The Old Spaghetti Factory’s Classic Spaghetti With Meatballs
Nostalgia hits hard at The Old Spaghetti Factory, where vintage trolley cars and stained glass set the scene for pasta perfection! Their spaghetti and meatballs comes with a side of time travel to simpler days when comfort food reigned supreme.
The meatballs are surprisingly light yet flavor-packed, seasoned with a secret blend of spices that gives them distinct character. Their marinara sauce strikes the perfect balance—not too sweet, not too acidic—just right for coating every strand of their perfectly cooked pasta.
5. Buca di Beppo’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Half-pound meatballs?! Yes, you read that right. Buca di Beppo doesn’t mess around with their colossal meat mountains that arrive alongside perfectly al dente spaghetti drowning in homestyle marinara.
The sauce has that authentic Italian grandmother vibe—slightly chunky with sweet tomatoes and fresh herbs that make your taste buds do a happy dance. The family-style serving means sharing is mandatory, though you’ll be tempted to hoard these beauties all to yourself.
6. Romano’s Macaroni Grill’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Mama’s meatballs are the star at Romano’s Macaroni Grill! These hand-crafted beauties pack a flavor punch that’ll make you slap the table and shout “mamma mia!” in the middle of the restaurant.
The spaghetti hits that perfect sweet spot between tender and chewy, while the house-made pomodorina sauce brings bright tomato flavor with just enough garlic and herbs to make things interesting. What really sets this dish apart is the generous dusting of aged parmesan that melts into the hot pasta.
7. Fazoli’s Fast-Casual Spaghetti & Meatballs
Lightning-fast pasta that doesn’t sacrifice quality? Fazoli’s has cracked the code with their spaghetti and meatballs that hits your table in minutes flat!
The meatballs are surprisingly tender for a quick-service joint—seasoned with Italian herbs and spices that give them authentic flavor without the long wait. Their marinara strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet, coating each strand of al dente pasta with saucy goodness.
8. Bertucci’s Brick Oven Spaghetti & Meatballs
Brick oven magic transforms Bertucci’s spaghetti and meatballs into something extraordinary! The intense heat gives their homemade meatballs a slightly caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Paired with their famous rolls hot from the same brick oven, this dish proves that cooking method matters. The marriage of old-world techniques with quality ingredients makes Bertucci’s version stand out in the crowded pasta chain universe.
9. Johnny Carino’s Country Italian Spaghetti & Meatballs
Texas-sized Italian food? Johnny Carino’s doesn’t hold back with their country Italian interpretation of spaghetti and meatballs that’ll make your belt beg for mercy!
The meatballs are a revelation—massive, herb-flecked spheres with a perfect meat-to-breadcrumb ratio that keeps them moist and flavorful. Their signature marinara brings unexpected depth with a hint of spice that cuts through the richness of the meat.
10. Spaghetti Warehouse’s Ultimate Spaghetti & Meatballs
Eating in an actual trolley car while twirling perfect spaghetti? Only at Spaghetti Warehouse, where vintage vibes meet carb-loaded bliss!
Their meatballs deserve a standing ovation—hand-rolled daily using a recipe that hasn’t changed in decades. The blend of beef, pork, and veal creates an unmatched tenderness, while the family-recipe marinara sauce has that slow-simmered richness that no shortcut can replicate.
11. Bravo! Italian Kitchen’s Spaghetti Bolognese & Meatballs
Fusion genius strikes at Bravo! Italian Kitchen, where they’ve dared to combine classic meatballs with a rich Bolognese sauce for a double-meat extravaganza that will make carnivores weep with joy!
The meatballs are Mediterranean masterpieces—a blend of beef, veal, and pork with pine nuts and herbs that elevate them beyond standard fare. But the real game-changer is the Bolognese base that adds a complex meat-forward foundation to the already impressive dish.
12. Brio Italian Grille’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Upscale pasta without the upscale attitude! Brio Italian Grille transforms the humble spaghetti and meatballs into a sophisticated affair that wouldn’t feel out of place at a black-tie dinner.
The meatballs achieve the impossible—both substantial and delicate, seasoned to perfection with fresh herbs and a hint of lemon zest that brightens the entire dish. Their pomodoro sauce is a velvety dream, made from San Marzano tomatoes that bring authentic Italian flavor to every bite.
13. Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Midwestern Italian food done right! Biaggi’s serves up spaghetti and meatballs that would make any nonna proud, with generous portions that reflect heartland hospitality.
These meatballs are the definition of comfort—hand-formed daily using premium ground beef and Italian sausage that creates a perfect texture and depth of flavor. House-made marinara strikes the ideal balance between sweet and tangy, with visible chunks of vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil throughout.
14. Mellow Mushroom’s Meatball Hoagie Spaghetti Bowl
Pizza joint spaghetti that blows minds? Mellow Mushroom’s unexpected pasta prowess proves they’re not just dough slingers!
Their Meatball Hoagie Spaghetti Bowl fuses two comfort food favorites into one psychedelic experience. The meatballs are a revelation—infused with Italian herbs and a hint of fennel that gives them distinctive character. The marinara brings serious flavor credentials with a touch of red wine complexity that elevates the entire dish.
15. Oregano’s Pizza Bistro’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Spaghetti from a pizza place that will make you question everything you thought you knew about pasta! Oregano’s Pizza Bistro’s Chicago-meets-Italy version comes in a cast iron skillet hot enough to melt your face off.
The meatballs are showstoppers—a secret family recipe featuring a blend of beef, pork, and mysterious spices that have customers trying (and failing) to reverse-engineer them for years. Their marinara sauce packs a garlicky punch with noticeable red pepper flakes that give it a subtle heat.
16. Mimi’s Cafe’s Slow-Roasted Spaghetti & Meatballs
French-American fusion meets Italian comfort at Mimi’s Cafe! Their slow-roasted approach to spaghetti and meatballs creates depth of flavor that fast-casual joints can only dream about.
The meatballs benefit from hours of gentle cooking that breaks down connective tissues and allows the blend of beef, pork, and veal to reach peak tenderness. Paired with their famous buttermilk spice muffins, this unexpected pasta standout proves that sometimes the best Italian food comes from non-Italian restaurants.
17. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse’s Deep Dish Spaghetti & Meatballs
Beer and pasta? Absolute genius at BJ’s, where their deep dish spaghetti and meatballs comes with suggested craft brew pairings that’ll change your dining paradigm forever!
Served in a deep dish reminiscent of their famous pizzookies, this hearty portion satisfies even the most ravenous appetites. The unexpected beer pairing (try their Jeremiah Red ale) creates a dining experience that bridges Italian tradition with American brewpub innovation.
18. California Pizza Kitchen’s Spaghetti & Chicken Meatballs
Chicken meatballs?! California Pizza Kitchen’s health-conscious twist on the classic pasta dish proves that breaking tradition can lead to delicious innovation.
These lighter meatballs pack surprising flavor—ground chicken blended with Parmesan, herbs, and breadcrumbs creates a tender texture without the heaviness of beef. The portion size hits the sweet spot—satisfying without inducing a food coma, leaving just enough room for their famous butter cake.
19. Noodles & Company’s Spaghetti & Meatballs
Fast, fresh, and surprisingly legit! Noodles & Company smashes the quick-service pasta stereotype with their spaghetti and meatballs that delivers homemade quality at fast-food speed.
The customization options set this version apart—add mushrooms, extra cheese, or even swap in whole grain pasta for a personalized touch. For busy weeknights when cooking feels impossible but you still want legitimate pasta satisfaction, this is the move.
20. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza’s Spaghetti & Giant Meatballs
Coal-fired meatballs?! Anthony’s breaks the mold with their 6-ounce monsters that emerge from 900-degree ovens with a caramelized crust that’s absolutely mind-blowing.
These behemoths are a carnivore’s dream—a perfect blend of beef, pork, and veal with minimal fillers that allows the quality meat to shine. The coal-firing process creates unique flavor dimensions impossible to achieve through conventional cooking methods, while their San Marzano tomato sauce provides the perfect tangy counterpoint.