When you try a bowl of my Homemade SpaghettiOs and Meatballs, it will bring back great memories of your childhood. There’s something nostalgic about a bowl of homemade SpaghettiOs and Meatballs. This classic dish holds a special place in many hearts.
During my childhood, canned SpaghettiOs and Meatballs was a simple and comforting meal for many kids. Unfortunately, I felt neglected of that pleasure. My Mom being Italian, would never serve me pasta from a can. I did get the chance to enjoy them when I was at a friends house and boy were they yummy. It was not until I had my own family that a can of SpaghettiOs entered my home. It was a quick, comforting meal that my girls got to enjoy.
Recently, I was out food shopping and came across a bag of little circle pasta rings. At that moment the jingle, “Uh-Oh SpaghettiOs” popped into my head. I quickly grabbed the bag of pasta and went home to make my own SpaghettiOs and Meatballs. A homemade recipe that combines childhood memories, but with the satisfaction of cooking from scratch.
While making this recipe, I thought of my Mom, “now this one is for you mom,” Homemade SpaghettiOs and Meatballs! I made the sauce with all fresh ingredients, except for the canned crushed tomatoes. My Mom would be just fine with that. I rolled bite sized meatballs, made with ground beef blended with all the right seasonings. They were fried and then dropped into the tasty sauce allowing them to infuse together. I made the pasta and boiled it in a separate pot, cooked al dente, ready to soak up the flavors of the sauce.
My house was filled with the the aroma of homemade sauce. It brought me back to my childhood memories of my Mom making her own sauce from “scratch.” Another favorite that my mom always made was Pasta Fagioli with Italian Sausage, try it I’m sure it will become a favorite for you too.
I had a smile on my face after sending my daughters, who are now grown up adults, a photo of my Homemade SpaghettiOs and Meatballs. I received a text from both of them saying, “OMG, did you make that?” “I want some!” So no matter how old yours kids are, this dish will definitely put a smile on their face. So lets get into the kitchen and bring back some great childhood memories.
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Helpful Kitchen Tools
Cuisinart Baking Sheet, 17 Inch Sheet Pan for Baking, Bronze, AMB-17BSBZ
OXO Good Grips Melon Baller SilverLa Molisana Pasta Anelli SicilianiOXO Good Grips Nylon Slotted Spoon,BlackOXO Good Grips Nylon Spoon, BlackPOPGRADE 4QT Stainless Steel Colander,Microporous Rice Strainer for Washing Rice, Pasta and Small Grains,Solid Strainers and Colanders for Kitchen
Ingredients
Ground beef – I use 93 % lean; you can also substitute with ground turkey.
Pasta – I used the Anellini pasta rings, but you can use any small pasta you like.
Crushed Tomatoes – Use a good Italian brand, or your favorite.
Grated cheese – You can use either Parmesan or Locatelli.
Onion and Garlic – of course
How to make Homemade SpaghettiOs with Meatballs
Making the mini meatballs.
In a large bowl add the ground beef and all the other ingredients. Mix with your hands until well combined.
Roll into mini meatballs you can use your hands a melon baller or cookie scoop.
In a large skillet with olive oil, fry the meatballs in batches until slightly browned. Remove from pan and place on a plate lined with paper towel to drain.
Making homemade sauce.
In the same skillet, heat olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Carefully, pour in the crushed tomatoes and seasonings. Cook for 15 minutes. Place in the mini meatballs and cook covered for an additional 15 minutes. If the sauce seems too thick, add a few drops of water.
While the sauce is cooking, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain pasta reserving a few tablespoons of pasta water to add to the sauce.
Fold in pasta into sauce.
Serve with Parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Storing SpaghettiOs and Meatballs
After completely cooled you can store your leftover spaghettiOs and meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Heat up in the microwave or on the stove-top.
PrintHomemade SpaghettiOs With Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, chopped.
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the sauce:
1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, chopped.
1 small onion chopped small.
1 tablespoon olive oil
5–6 leaves fresh basil, chopped.
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon, Italian seasoning
1 16–ounce bag of Anelli pasta
Instructions
Directions for the meatballs.
1 – In a large bowl add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, grated cheese, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. With your hands, mix just until combined, do not overwork.
2 – Form your tiny meatballs. You can use a melon ball scooper, if you like. You should get between 70 to 80 mini meatballs. Place the meatballs onto a tray.
3 – In a large skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs to the skillet. Cook until brown, carefully turn over and brown the other side. They do not need to be fully cooked. Place meatballs on a plate lined with paper towel to drain the excess oil. Repeat until all the meatballs are fried.
Directions for the sauce.
1 – In the same skillet, heat two tablespoons of olive oil medium heat. Add your chopped onion and garlic and sauté until soft 4 to 5 minutes.
2 – Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes. Add the basil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning and stir. Cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. If the sauce seems too thick you can add a few drops of water.
3 – Carefully place mini meatballs into the sauce. Cover and cook for 15 additional minutes, stirring occasionally.
4 – While the sauce is cooking, in a medium saucepan, cook the pasta following the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, reserve a few tablespoons of pasta water to add to the sauce, if the sauce seems too thick.
5 – Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, until well combined. Top with grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
