SaucebookHow much does it cost to make spaghetti and meatballs?
With example prices, a batch of spaghetti and meatballs (6 plates) costs about $11.20, or $1.87 per serving. Here's the ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown, and how to work out your own.
Costs are calculated from sample grocery prices, and yours will vary by store. Price it with yours.
Spaghetti and meatballs cost breakdown
Example prices, yours will vary. These are round example numbers to show the method, not quotes from any store.
| Ingredient | Amount used | Example price paid | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaghetti | 1 lb | $1.40 per lb | $1.40 |
| Ground beef | 1 lb | $5.20 per lb | $5.20 |
| Breadcrumbs | 1/2 cup (2 oz) | $2.40 for 15 oz | $0.32 |
| Egg | 1 large | $3.60 a dozen | $0.30 |
| Parmesan, grated | 1/4 cup (0.75 oz) | $4.00 for 8 oz | $0.38 |
| Marinara sauce | 24 oz jar | $3.00 per jar | $3.00 |
| Garlic | 2 cloves | $0.60 per head (10 cloves) | $0.12 |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | $8.00 for 500 ml (about 33 tbsp) | $0.48 |
| Batch cost | $11.20 | ||
| Cost per serving (6 servings) | $1.87 | ||
Pasta and a jar of sauce are cheap; the beef is most of the cost. Mixing in a little more breadcrumb, or making the meatballs smaller and more plentiful, stretches it.
How we worked it out
For each ingredient, we divided the package price by the package size, then multiplied by the amount used. The lines add up to the batch cost, and dividing by 6 servings gives the cost per serving. The full method is in how to cost a recipe.
Price your own spaghetti and meatballs
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Spaghetti and meatballs cost questions
How much does it cost to make spaghetti and meatballs?
With the example prices on this page, a batch (6 plates) costs about $11.20, or about $1.87 per serving. Your cost depends on your local prices, so price your own.
What is the most expensive ingredient in spaghetti and meatballs?
In this example it's ground beef, at $5.20 of the $11.20 batch.
How can I make spaghetti and meatballs cheaper?
Buy the biggest line on sale or in bulk, use store brands for the staples, and portion carefully so the batch serves everyone.