Description
Homemade spaghettios with spicy meatballs deliver nostalgic comfort with grown-up flavor. Pasta swimming in zesty tomato sauce and tender meatballs will satisfy both kids and adults at the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) ground beef (80-85%)
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsps grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps bread crumbs
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps onion (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (crushed between fingertips)
- 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
- 0.5 tsp fresh black pepper
- 0.5 tsp coarse salt
- 8 oz (226 g) anelletti pasta
- 1 can extra large olives (sliced)
- 1 or more jars of good quality arrabbiata sauce
- Mozzarella or parmesan cheese for grating on top
Instructions
- Meatball Preparation: Blend ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Fold ingredients gently with a fork until uniformly combined.
- Shaping and Positioning: Craft bite-sized spherical meatballs and arrange them on a lightly oiled baking sheet with spacing between each piece.
- Roasting Process: Slide meatballs into a 400°F oven, rotating midway through 15-16 minutes of cooking. Confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook spaghetti in salted water until achieving al dente consistency. Drain completely using a colander.
- Sauce Development: Heat tomato sauce in a substantial pan over medium temperature. Incorporate black olives and allow flavors to merge for several minutes.
- Combining Components: Transfer roasted meatballs into simmering sauce, then carefully fold cooked pasta throughout the mixture, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Serving Finale: Plate the spaghetti and meatballs, finishing with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Meat Mixture Mastery: Mix ingredients gently with a fork to prevent overworking, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee meatballs reach 160°F, ensuring safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Spacing Strategy: Leave 1-inch gaps between meatballs on the baking sheet for even heat circulation and consistent browning.
- Sauce Simmering Secret: Allow olives to infuse tomato sauce for 3-4 minutes to develop deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg