Skip the cans and make these cozy one-pan spaghetti sauce with meatballs instead. Cooking mini turkey meatballs and pasta in one pot with a simple tomato sauce makes for an easy, comforting dinner the whole family will love.
Homemade Spaghetti Os
Spaghettios and meatballs may be nostalgic for some, but I’ve never been a fan of canned pasta. This version was inspired by my friend Dyanne, who made something similar for her child and shared it with me. It was such a smart and simple idea that I had to try it my way. I know a lot of people love me Instant Pot Beef Spaghetti Os from within simple cookbookSo I made this into a one-dish meal with mini turkey meatballs and sauced pasta. The pasta is cooked directly in the tomato sauce, so it becomes perfectly tender and absorbs all of its flavor. It’s cozy, kid-friendly, and a little playful, but it’s still an easy weeknight dinner you’ll actually want to eat.
Why This One-Pan Pasta Recipe Works
I enjoy the challenge of replacing popular store-bought foods with healthier alternatives. With these mini meatball pastas, you’ll know exactly what’s in them and can make substitutions to suit your diet. Nothing beats the convenience of canned pasta, but we promise it’s worth the effort. Simple ingredients come together to create a delicious dinner that your kids and husband will love.
- High in protein: Turkey meatballs and using chicken bone broth instead of regular broth add a lot of protein to this pasta dish.
- Better than canned spaghetti: This homemade version is made with real ingredients and has a fresher, richer flavor than anything canned.
- Nostalgic and kid-friendly: If you grew up eating canned spaghetti, this recipe will definitely be a hit.
- Quick and easy: This one-pan pasta cooks in about 30 minutes, and washing up is even faster. There’s no need to boil the noodles separately!
materials needed
Keep reading to learn more about the ingredients for this easy turkey meatball pasta recipe. See recipe card below for exact measurements.
- grated parmesan cheese Add salt and zest and keep the meatballs tender.
- bread Combine meatball ingredients together. You can crumble a slice of white bread or use store-bought breadcrumbs.
- 2% milk This will keep the meatballs moist and the sauce slightly creamy.
- garlic: Finely chop the garlic or grate it in a microplane.
- seasoning: Onion powder and Italian seasoning
- 93% ground turkey Provides lean protein, but you can use any type of ground meat.
- olive oil Grease the pan with oil to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
- Anellini Pasta Like traditional pasta, it has a small, round pasta shape. SpaghettiOs. If you can’t find it in your grocery store, they sell it on Amazon.
- chicken bone broth Makes this homemade spaghetti high in protein. me used swansonBut any brand will work.
- crushed tomatoes It forms the base of the sauce and provides a rich tomato flavor. taste.
How to Make Spaghetti Os with Meatballs
Spaghetti sauce is thinner and saltier than most red sauces. It almost feels like soup. It shouldn’t be dry like mac and cheese. See recipe card below for printable instructions.
- Make the meatballs: Mix together all meatball ingredients except turkey. Wait 5-10 minutes for the bread to absorb the milk, then fold in the minced meat to combine. Shape the mixture into mini balls.
- Brown the meatballs Cook in a large, deep pan for 2 minutes on each side. There is no need to cook it completely as it will be boiled in the sauce later. Take it out of the pan and wipe it clean with a paper towel.
- Toast the pasta and garlic. For a few minutes. Toasting pasta improves its flavor and gives it a nutty flavor when it’s ready.
- Prepare the red sauce. Pour bone broth, remaining milk, and crushed tomatoes over the pasta and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, onion powder, and salt.
- Bring sauce and meatballs to a boil. Bring the sauce to a boil over high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Boil for 10 minutes, then open the lid and cook for another 10 minutes. Once the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, dig in!
Can I use ground chicken or beef?
yes! Ground chicken works like turkey and keeps it light. If you prefer beef, that would also be a great choice. The beef will have a richer, classic flavor. To balance the flavor and reduce fat, you can use 93% fat.
Variations and Tips (Protein Swaps, Pasta Shapes)
- Turn off the ground turkey. This applies to ground bison, ground beef, or ground chicken.
- Can’t find classic “O” pasta? This is the pasta I use. Try using ditalini, alphabet, acini di pepe or other small shapes like Israeli couscous. Cooking times may need to be adjusted according to package directions.
- Broth Options: If you wish, you can use regular chicken broth.
- Want a creamier sauce? For a tastier sauce, replace the milk with half-and-half.
- No Italian seasoning? Use whatever dried herbs you have on hand. Try oregano, thyme, and parsley.
- My sauce is too dry! If the fan lid has vents, that may be the cause. You can add 1 to 2 cups more bone broth to get the right consistency. Make sure it is al dente, as much of the sauce may evaporate and affect the cooking time of the pasta.
- Dairy Free: Replace the 2% milk with unsweetened almond milk or another plant-based milk and omit the Parmesan cheese.
- Gluten Free: Use gluten-free bread, bread crumbs, or pasta.
- Vegetarian: Skip the meatballs and use vegetable broth. Feel free to stir-fry the vegetables before adding the sauce ingredients, or stir in the spinach or kale at the end.
Is this suitable for children/toddlers?
very! The mini meatball and small pasta shapes make it easy for children to eat, and the mild tomato sauce is familiar and comforting. If making this for toddlers, you can keep the seasoning simple and cut the meatballs into smaller pieces.
How to store and reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits, so add a little water or broth to loosen it up when reheating. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.
More One-Pan Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
For more kid-friendly dinner ideas, check out: Five Easy One-Pan Pasta Recipes To inspire your next meal!
produce: night soil
Serving Size: 1 ½ cup
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, use good quality
- 1 one part white bread, About 30 grams, crumbled bread crumbs or ⅓ cup bread crumbs
- ⅔ cup + 3 tablespoons Milk 2%, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, Chop or grind into small pieces.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 teaspoon onion powder, divided
- 8 oz. Ground Turkey 93%, Or your favorite minced meat
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz. pasta rings, Raw (see note below)
- 2 cup chicken bone broth, I used Swanson
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes, I used Tutoroso
In a medium mixing bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, crumbled bread, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. After the bread has absorbed the milk, add the minced meat and mix well. Form the turkey into small balls, about ½ tablespoon each.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet (high-walled skillet) over medium heat and cook until browned, about 2 minutes on each side (don’t worry about cooking it through, it will boil off later). Take it out of the pan and wipe it clean.
Spray the skillet with oil, add the pasta and remaining garlic, and cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add bone broth, Italian seasoning, onion powder, remaining milk, crushed tomatoes, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then return the meatballs to the pan, stir, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 10 minutes.
Discover and stir. Cover and continue to cook until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 10 to 12 minutes. The finished product should be salty, slightly thick, and contain an appropriate amount of liquid. Do not use on the dryer side like mac and cheese.
Final step:
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Other small pastas like ditalini, alphabet or Israeli couscous would also work here. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
If your pan lid has vents, you may need to add more stock. Keep 1-2 cups extra just in case. As you cook, check to see if the pasta is cooked.
clothing material: 1 ½ cup, calorie: 425.5 calorie, carbohydrate: 57 g, protein: 26 g, province: 10 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 51 mg, sodium: 691.5 mg, fiber: 3.5 g, sugar: 7.5 g
