Easy Recipes

Grown-Up SpaghettiOs & Meatballs

These SpaghettiOs and meatballs mimic the canned pasta-and-marinara delight you loved as a kid, but with sophisticated upgrades for adult flavor preferences. (Don’t worry, it’s still kid-approved.)

Ingredients

Kosher salt
1 lb. anelletti or other small round pasta, such as ditalini
1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 lb. (90% lean) ground beef chuck
1/4 c. panko bread crumbs
1 large egg
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (8-oz.) can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
1 c. shredded cheddar (about 4 oz.)
1/4 c. half-and-half
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Directions

Step 1
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl; reserve pot.

Step 2
Meanwhile, in a blender, blend tomatoes until smooth; set aside.

Step 3
In a medium bowl, combine beef, panko, egg, oregano, garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Roll into roughly 1" balls and arrange on a plate.

Step 4
In same large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 4 to 6 minutes. Return meatballs to plate and wipe any excess oil from pot.

Step 5
In same pot over medium-high heat, melt butter. Cook garlic, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add reserved blended tomatoes, tomato sauce, granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.

Step 6
Return meatballs to pot with sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through and sauce is thickened, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 7
Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, half-and-half, and Parmesan until combined and melted. Add pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to thin sauce, if needed.

Step 8
Divide pasta and meatballs among bowls. Top with more Parmesan.