Cheesy SpaghettiOs with Meatballs

This Cheesy SpaghettiOs with Meatballs recipe is a healthier take on the dish you may have enjoyed in your childhood! It features tender meatballs and Anellini pasta simmered in a rich tomato sauce, all topped with plenty of cheese. You only need a few simple ingredients to recreate this classic favorite!

I love homemade takes on childhood classics! Another great family favorite is my Homemade Hamburger Helper, which also uses a few pantry staples! Or give my Taco Pasta or my One Pot Hamburger Stroganoff a try.

Tips For The Perfect One-Pot Pasta Dish!

STIR OFTEN! If you are not using a non-stick skillet, you will need to stir this often, or the pasta will be stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Meatballs: To make the meatballs, just squeeze out a small portion of meat from the casing into the pan. No need to roll them, toss them around in the pan a little, and they will smooth out.

No Sugar! My recipe doesn’t have extra sugar added, so it won’t be as sweet as the canned version. If you like yours sweet, add a little sugar to taste.

Brief Overview On How To Make Cheesy SpaghettiOs with Meatballs

PASTA: I am using Anellini, which is sometimes called Anelli. I ordered it from Amazon because I couldn’t find it in any supermarket. I have not tried using other pasta shapes, so I can’t say for sure how much liquid to use.

Meatballs made easy: I wanted to make this dish as simple as possible, so instead of putting the sausage into a bowl and scooping out meat to form into meatballs, I squeezed out a small portion from the casing right into the hot frying pan. I tossed them around in the pan a little, and they smoothed out into a round shape pretty well!

Making a flavorful sauce: This is important because it will provide a lot of flavor to this pasta dish. After removing the sausage, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, then add the tomato paste. Cook this in the pan for a minute or two. This helps deepen the flavor and eliminates the need for sugar to cut through the acidity.

Pour in the broth, pasta, seasoning, and meatballs, then bring it to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. One important thing to note: if you are not using a non-stick skillet, you will need to stir VERY frequently, or the pasta will stick to the bottom of the pan.

Variations

Protein: Feel free to use different meatballs, such as turkey, chicken, or frozen. Adjust recipe accordingly. Can also cut up hot dogs or shred rotisserie chicken to add to the dish. Stir in cooked shrimp at the very end, just before topping with cheese.

Veggies: Want to beef up the dish with vegetables? Sauté onion or bell pepper before adding the garlic. Or stir in shredded zucchini, carrot, or other root vegetables before simmering. Stir in baby spinach or kale at the very end, just before topping with cheese.

Sweetness: This recipe is not sweet like the canned version, so if you would like it to be sweet, you will need to stir in sugar or honey to your liking.

How To Store SpaghettiOs with Meatballs?

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so you will need to add a little broth or water when reheating to make it saucy again. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Serving Suggestions

Kids love to eat this for lunch or even an afternoon snack! To make this a family dinner, I suggest adding some sides.

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Glaze
Skillet Garlic Green Beans

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