Spaghetti is probably one of your busy weeknight go-to dinner ideas. I know it is one of mine because of how fast and easy it is to make. Boil the noodles, warm up some sauce, toss it together and serve. Everyone likes spaghetti. If you have a little bit of extra time, go one step further to make spaghetti and meatball muffins. I first saw these on Pinterest and decided to make my own version as part of the Pinterest Remakes blog hop (see links at the bottom of the post.)
It’s hardly any more trouble to bake the spaghetti into muffin tin “nests” for pre-cooked meatballs. I keep frozen meatballs on hand for meals like this one.
Spaghetti and meatball muffins are just the right size for kids. These are also fun to serve as party appetizers and game day snacks.
Muffin Tin Recipes: How to Make Spaghetti and Meatball Muffins
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
- 1.5 T olive oil
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups of your favorite tomato-based spaghetti sauce
- 12 meatballs (cooked)
Directions:
- Bake meatballs according to package directions and set aside (keep warm). Keep oven preheated to 375 degrees. Grease or spray a 12-cup regular size muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- While meatballs are baking, cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Drain and toss in a bowl with olive oil; Allow to cool for about 5-10 minutes. *You want the noodles to be cool enough for you to touch without getting burned.
- Toss the cooled spaghetti noodles with 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, 3 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce and egg. Evenly divide spaghetti between the 12 muffin cups, pressing noodles in each cup to create a small indention in the middle. The indentions will be “nests” for the meatballs. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.
- Top each “nest” with 1 tablespoon warm spaghetti sauce, add a meatball, and top with 1 more tablespoon spaghetti sauce. Carefully take each spaghetti and meatball muffin out of its cup and serve.
Serving Suggestions: My family likes to sprinkle our spaghetti muffins with McCormick Salad Supreme or Parmesan cheese. I also like to round out our spaghetti meals with a salad and breadsticks. I keep a small bowl of warm spaghetti sauce ready for anyone who wants additional sauce on top of their spaghetti and meatball muffins. If you want your muffins super cheesy, add more cheese when you toss the spaghetti noodles in step 3 (before you bake.)
Are you a fan of spaghetti dinners? What’s your favorite side dish to serve with pasta?
For more Pinterest Remakes, visit a few of my favorite bloggers – they always come up with clever ideas!
- Fall centerpiece in less than 5 minutes by Confessions of an Overworked Mom
- Garden fresh, creamy tomato basil soup by Oh So Savvy Mom
- Candy corn wreath by Upstate Ramblings
- Spaghetti squash pizza boats by Homemaking Hacks
- Apple pecan stuffing recipe by A Mom’s Take
- Pumpkin scones by Jennifer Sikora
- Pumpkin seed granola by Better in Bulk
- Pumpkin cream cheese muffins by Mom Does it All
- French onion soup by OurFamilyWorld
- Mummy Halloween pumpkin centerpiece by Simply Southern Mom
- Coffee rub burgers by Roasted Beanz
- Rustic twig star wreath by Sweet Lil You
- Buffalo chicken deviled eggs by Home and Garden Cafe
- Pumpkin marshmallow M&M blondies by Simply Mindy
- Honey lavender cupcakes by How Was Your Day?
- Mini chocolate apple pops by 2Boys+1Girl=OneCrazyMom
