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Easy One-Pot Cheesy Spaghetti with Meatballs

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A quick and comforting one-pot dinner featuring cheesy spaghetti and juicy meatballs, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20, preferably grass-fed)
  • 8 oz spaghetti (regular or whole wheat)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 150 g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 14 oz diced tomatoes (1 can, no-salt-added)
  • 15 oz tomato sauce (1 can, basic marinara)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups water or broth (720 ml)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup bread crumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp Italian seasoning. Mix gently until just combined. If mixture is too wet, add more bread crumbs.
  2. Roll mixture into about 20 small meatballs (approximately 1 inch each). Place on a plate or baking sheet. Wetting hands slightly helps prevent sticking.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Add meatballs in a single layer (in batches if necessary) and brown for 3-4 minutes per side without fully cooking through. Remove meatballs and set aside.
  5. Pour diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce into the skillet. Stir in water or broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits.
  6. Break spaghetti in half and stir into the sauce. Nestle browned meatballs gently into the sauce, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged.
  7. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 15-18 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add water if sauce becomes too thick.
  8. Once pasta is tender and meatballs cooked through, remove from heat and stir in shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan until cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball mixture to avoid toughness. Brown meatballs well to seal in juices. Break spaghetti in half for even cooking. Add cheese off the heat to prevent clumping. If sauce thickens too much, add water as needed. For gluten-free, substitute pasta and bread crumbs accordingly. For dairy-free, omit cheeses or use vegan alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheesy spaghetti, meatballs, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/easy-one-pot-cheesy-spaghetti-with-meatballs-recipe-for-perfect-dinners/