Why is spaghetti and meatballs so expensive ?

[Mikey]

I hate going out and seeing a spaghetti and meatball dinner so expensive.

Whether it's in Italian restaurants or just pizza places it always seems way overpriced

The ingredients are all fairly cheap on their own - and it doesn't take much effort to make.

My curse is I love spaghetti and meatballs.

Note - i'm not talking about making it at home

[Sideshow Spock]

I think any pasta at a restaurant is typically overpriced if you order it as your main entree. Just a couple nites ago my wife and I stopped at Panera Bread for a quick meal, and she got a small bowl of tortellini for what I think was $8.99? Yikes. Probably cost the restaurant 25 cents.

[MIB41]

I think you can get it for a reasonable price (and a huge serving) at Buca Di Beppo. Of course what you're paying for are those wonderful Italian meatballs. If you have one in your area and haven't tried it yet, I would encourage you to give it a shot. The wife and I LOVE their lasagna. And the thing is I'm not much of a lasagna kind fo guy. But this stuff I can eat all day. The noodles dissolve in your mouth almost like a component of bread so there isn't the residual fullness that you typically get from eating a common noodle. Good stuff!

[Earth 2 Chris]

I don't order "common" pasta out much, since my wife makes really good spaghetti and lasagna at home. Actually, I make pretty good spaghetti as well.

I never really noticed a high price for the more common stuff, so I'll have to look next time I'm at an Italian place.

Chris

[Confessional]

Because it's a classic and beloved dish; market cred in the food biz so to speak. Per ounce it's in the same profit class as most beverages, soups and side dishes.

While made with inexpensive ingredients, the simple deliciousness that can be found in noodles, rice or pasta does come with effort. As very few people are willing to make fresh pasta in their homes, a huge boxed industry exists and thus secures restaurant pricing.

The added protein is a wild card as meatballs or meat sauces can also range from entirely processed garbage to exquisite goodness. This is also the larger variable in pricing in $$-$$$$ restaurants.

Dammit Mikey!, now I'm hungry too! :P

[Mikey]

I think you can get it for a reasonable price (and a huge serving) at Buca Di Beppo. !

I never heard of Buca Di Beppo but just googled them.

Looks like there's one about 30 miles from me

Might have to check them out sometime

[Mikey]

I love Italian meatballs

tried a lot of recipes from the net but they're just not as good as getting them out.

a lot of people say it's the same mix as meatloaf but I dont agree

Italian meatballs are their own seperate entity

[HardyGirl]

It is the same mix, but w/ some oregano and a little parmesan cheese added in.

I love Italian meatballs

tried a lot of recipes from the net but they're just not as good as getting them out.

a lot of people say it's the same mix as meatloaf but I dont agree

Italian meatballs are their own seperate entity

[Gorn Captain]

I've never eaten that. It doesn't exist here.
I'll have to make some from scratch!

[Zemo]

^It's pasta and ground beef/sausage with tomatoes. It is something that I would never order when I'm out though.

[EmergencyIan]

Here in NYC, at Italian restaurants, spaghetti and meatballs is always about the least expensive entree on the menu.

- Ian

[Mikey]

About 90 miles west of NYC spaghetti and meatballs usually costs like $9.95 at pizza places.

Add 5+ bucks for Italian restaurants

Weird thing is even veal parm is cheaper

[PNGwynne]

I never order spaghetti (meatballs) or lasagne out--mine is better, if I do say so.

Spaghetti is cheap, but lasagne is pricey to make.

[Mikey]

I'm a ricotta fool

The more a lasagna has it the better

[EmergencyIan]

About 90 miles west of NYC spaghetti and meatballs usually costs like $9.95 at pizza places.

Add 5+ bucks for Italian restaurants

Weird thing is even veal parm is cheaper

It's about the same price here in NYC. The veal parm is higher in price, generally, than the spaghetti and meatballs. I'm sure there are exceptions.

- Ian