These homemade spaghettios are just like your childhood favorite made using ring shaped pasta and mini meatballs cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce.
Homemade Spaghettios
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
Homemade spaghettios are just like your childhood favorite but better!
I used to love eating canned spaghettios as a kid. My mother would make these all the time for my siblings and I after school.
Fishing out the meatballs was always my favorite part. As I got older and my taste in food began to shift, I lost interest in eating them.
But seeing the cans on the shelves at the grocery store brought back all of that wonderful childhood nostalgia.
One afternoon my sister brought me over some pasta boxes and one of them was the anellini or “O” shaped variety.
I immediately thought of how awesome it would be to recreate my old childhood favorite after school snack.
Needless to say, I did wind up making it for a family party and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved it so much.
It was so nice to bring back the memories of childhood for the adults and the kids absolutely loved the pasta “rings” and mini meatballs.
I hope you give this recipe a try, I know that if you do you’ll love it as much as my family and I do.
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What sauce should I use for these homemade Spaghettios?
The sauce you use for this recipe is completely up to you.
I used a jar of Carbone Marinara sauce because that’s what I had but feel free to use homemade tomato sauce or whatever brand you like.
I have a great simple tomato sauce recipe HERE.
If you choose homemade sauce instead of jarred use about 3-4 cups.
Where can I find “O” shaped pasta?
Finding this pasta shouldn’t be too tough. Most grocery stores in Jersey carry it at least.
You may see it called “rings” or “Anellini” on the shelves.
Most grocery stores, Italian delis and even Amazon will be sure to have it.
What meatballs should I use for this homemade spaghettios recipe?
I have a great recipe for Classic Italian Meatballs HERE.
I think they’re perfect for this pasta recipe but feel free to use your own recipe, too.
Some people would like to take a short cut, or simply don’t want to make them for whatever reasons and that’s ok!
Frozen meatballs could absolutely be used here, too.
Just be sure to get the smaller sized cocktail option. They will work best for this.
Other easy homemade pasta recipes
If you like easy and delicious pasta dishes like this one, here are some other great recipes that I know you’ll love.
Homemade Spaghettios ingredients
- Meatball Mix (or frozen meatballs)
- Olive oil
- “Ring” shaped pasta
- Tomato sauce
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Shredded basil
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
First, take your meatball mixture and roll it into balls about 1 inch in diameter or smaller if you'd like. (If you’re choosing to use frozen meatballs, make them according to the directions on the package).
Now, in a large skillet, pan fry the meatballs in a little olive oil until they are golden brown all the way around.
Then remove the meatballs and set them aside. Keep them warm until we need them again.
Next, carefully transfer most the hot oil in the pan someplace that it can cool. Leaving about 1-2 tbs in the skillet.
In the same skillet, over medium high heat add the tomato sauce and chicken broth.
Then bring it up to a gentle boil and add the pasta rings and shredded basil.
They should take about 10-15 minutes to cook. If you feel like the sauce is getting too thick, feel free to add a little more broth.
Once the rings are soft, add in the cooked meatballs and stir everything together.
Finally, transfer the spaghettios to a serving dish and add some Parmesan cheese on top (optional).
Serve warm and enjoy!
Homemade Spaghettios
Ingredients
- 1 lb Meatball mix (use my recipe above or your own) or frozen cocktail meatballs.
- ¼ c olive oil
- 1 lb "ring" pasta
- 24 oz pasta sauce
- 4 c chicken or vegetable broth
- 5-10 leaves fresh shredded basil
- ¼ c parmesan cheese
Instructions
- First, take your meatball mixture and roll it into balls about 1 inch in diameter or smaller if you'd like. (If you’re choosing to use frozen meatballs, make them according to the directions on the package).
- Now, in a large skillet, pan fry the meatballs in a little olive oil until they are golden brown all the way around.
- Then remove the meatballs and set them aside. Keep them warm until we need them again.
- Next, carefully transfer most the hot oil in the pan someplace that it can cool. Leaving about 1-2 tbs in the skillet.
- In the same skillet, over medium high heat add the tomato sauce and chicken broth.
- Then bring the liquid up to a gentle boil and add the pasta rings and shredded basil.
- They should take about 10-15 minutes to cook. If you feel like the sauce is getting too thick, feel free to add a little more broth.
- Once the rings are soft, add in the cooked meatballs and stir everything together.
- Finally, transfer the spaghettios to a serving dish and add some Parmesan cheese on top (optional). Serve warm and enjoy!
Angelo Serra says
Good recipe - would recommend bronze die rings, they hold up the best.