Description
Spaghetti O’s with Meatballs is a comforting, easy-to-prepare dish combining tender pasta rings with juicy meatballs in a rich tomato sauce enhanced by smoky turkey bacon and melted plant-based cheese. This crowd-pleasing recipe offers a nostalgic yet fresh twist on a classic favorite, perfect for quick lunches or cozy dinners that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 150g smoked turkey bacon, finely chopped
- 400g ground beef or plant-based ground meat alternative
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 400g tomato puree (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta and Cheese
- 200g spaghetti rings pasta (or gluten-free/whole wheat alternative)
- 100g grated plant-based cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Finely chop smoked turkey bacon, then combine it with ground beef or your plant-based choice, minced garlic, chopped onions, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, fresh parsley, and natural gelling agent. Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated to maintain a tender texture.
- Shape and Cook the Meatballs: Form small, bite-sized meatballs from the mixture. Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, being careful not to dry them out. Remove from the pan and set aside once golden and firm.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant. Add the natural tomato puree, apple cider vinegar, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting the flavors meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Cook the Spaghetti Rings: Boil the spaghetti rings pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and immediately toss into the tomato sauce to absorb the rich flavors.
- Combine Everything and Add Cheese: Gently stir the cooked meatballs back into the sauce with the pasta. Sprinkle generously with grated plant-based cheese and cover the pan briefly to allow the cheese to melt into a creamy topping.
Notes
- Smaller meatballs cook evenly and fit perfectly with the pasta rings.
- Let the meatballs rest after cooking to maintain juiciness.
- Adjust simmering time to customize sauce thickness.
- Fresh parsley or basil added just before serving brightens the dish.
- Covering the pan briefly after adding cheese ensures a perfect melt.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Spaghetti O's, Meatballs, Comfort Food, Plant-based Cheese, Turkey Bacon, Tomato Sauce, Family Friendly, Easy Recipe
