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MINI MEATBALL SPAGHETTI O’S

MINI MEATBALL SPAGHETTI O’S

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  • Author: Anna
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Description

A cozy homemade twist on classic spaghetti O’s made with tender mini meatballs, O-shaped pasta, and a rich tomato sauce finished with parmesan and fresh basil.


Ingredients

  • Ground beef, 1 lb
  • Yellow onion, ½ onion grated and liquid squeezed out
  • Garlic, 2 cloves mashed
  • Egg, 1 large
  • Parmesan cheese, ½ cup grated
  • Italian breadcrumbs, ½ cup
  • Italian parsley, ¼ cup finely chopped
  • Salt, 1 teaspoon
  • Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon
  • Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
  • Olive oil, 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic, 3 cloves mashed
  • Tomato puree, 28 oz
  • Beef broth, ½ cup optional
  • Tomato paste, 3 tablespoons
  • Granulated sugar or monkfruit, 2 teaspoons
  • Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon
  • Crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon
  • Salt, 1 teaspoon
  • Parmesan cheese, ⅓ cup grated
  • O-shaped pasta, 1 cup uncooked
  • Fresh basil, for garnish


Instructions

  1. Heat a large pan over medium heat.
  2. In a bowl, mix ground beef, grated onion, mashed garlic, egg, parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, oregano, and black pepper until just combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into small bite-sized meatballs.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and brown the meatballs on all sides, then remove and set aside.
  5. In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil and mashed garlic, cooking briefly until fragrant.
  6. Stir in tomato puree, beef broth if using, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt.
  7. Add the uncooked O-shaped pasta and browned meatballs to the sauce.
  8. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens.
  9. Stir in grated parmesan cheese.
  10. Garnish with fresh basil and serve hot.

Notes

  • Keep meatballs small for even cooking.
  • Add a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
  • Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 980mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 46g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg