Skip the can and make this cozy one-pan Spaghetti Os and Meatballs as an alternative. Mini turkey meatballs and pasta cook dinner collectively in one-pot in a easy tomato sauce for a simple consolation meals dinner the entire household will love.

Selfmade Spaghetti-Os
Spaghettios and Meatballs could be nostalgic for some, however I’ve by no means beloved canned pasta. This model was impressed by my pal Dyanne, who made one thing related for her toddler and shared it with me—it was such a wise, easy concept that I needed to attempt it my method. I do know so lots of you like my Immediate Pot Spaghetti Os with Beef from my Easy Cookbook, so I turned it right into a one-pan meal with mini turkey meatballs and saucy pasta. The pasta cooks proper within the tomato sauce, so it will get completely tender and soaks up all that taste. It’s cozy, kid-friendly, and a simple weeknight dinner that feels slightly playful, however nonetheless one thing I truly wish to eat.
Elements You’ll Want
Preserve studying to be taught extra in regards to the substances for my simple turkey meatball pasta recipe. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.

- Grated Parmesan provides salt and taste and retains the meatballs tender.
- Bread binds the meatball substances collectively. You possibly can crumble a slice of white bread or use store-bought breadcrumbs.
- 2% Milk retains the meatballs moist and the sauce slightly creamy.
- Garlic: Finely chop garlic or grate it with a microplane.
- Seasoning: Onion powder and Italian seasoning
- 93% Floor Turkey offers lean protein, however you should utilize any kind of floor meat.
- Olive Oil greases the pan so the meatballs don’t stick.
- Anellini Pasta is a small, spherical pasta form, similar to conventional SpaghettiOs. If you happen to can’t discover it at your grocery retailer, Amazon sells it.
- Rooster Bone Broth makes this home made spaghettios excessive in protein. I used Swanson, however any model will work.
- Crushed Tomatoes type the bottom of the sauce, giving it a wealthy tomato taste.
Find out how to Make Spaghetti Os with Meatballs
The spaghettios sauce will likely be thinner and saucier than most purple sauces–nearly soupy. It shouldn’t be dry like mac and cheese. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.



- Make the meatballs: Combine all of the meatball substances collectively apart from the turkey. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the bread to absorb the milk, then fold within the floor meat till simply mixed. Form the combination into mini balls.
- Brown the meatballs in a big, deep pan for two minutes on all sides. They don’t must be absolutely cooked since they’ll simmer within the sauce later. Take away them from the pan, then wipe it clear with a paper towel.
- Toast the pasta and garlic for a couple of minutes. Toasting pasta enhances its taste and can give off a nutty aroma when it’s prepared.
- Put together the purple sauce: Pour the bone broth, remaining milk, and crushed tomatoes over the pasta and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, onion powder, and salt.
- Simmer the sauce and meatballs: Carry the sauce to a boil over excessive warmth. Add the meatballs to the pan, cowl, and scale back the warmth to medium- low. Simmer for 10 minutes, then uncover and cook dinner for one more 10 minutes. As soon as the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, dig in!




Can I Use Floor Rooster or Beef?
Sure! Floor rooster works similar to turkey and retains it gentle. If you happen to desire beef, that’s an ideal possibility too—it can have a richer, extra basic taste. You need to use 93% lean for a stability of taste and fewer fats.
Variations and Suggestions (Protein Swaps, Pasta Shapes)
- Swap out the bottom turkey: This works with floor bison, floor beef, or floor rooster.
- Can’t discover the basic “O” pasta? That is the pasta I exploit. Strive different small shapes like ditalini, alphabet, acini di pepe, or Israeli couscous. You may want to regulate the cooking time based mostly on the bundle directions.
- Broth choices: You need to use common rooster broth if you happen to desire.
- Need a creamier sauce? Swap the milk for half-and-half for a extra decadent sauce.
- No Italian seasoning? Use a mixture of no matter dried herbs you may have available. Strive oregano, thyme, or parsley.
- My sauce is simply too dry! In case your pan’s lid has a vent gap, that could be the offender. You possibly can add as much as 1 to 2 cups extra bone broth to succeed in the precise consistency. If a number of the sauce has evaporated, it may affect the pasta’s cooking time, so examine if it’s al dente.
- Dairy-free: Change 2% milk with unsweetened almond milk or one other plant-based milk and omit the parmesan.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread, breadcrumbs and pasta.
- Vegetarian: Omit the meatballs and use vegetable broth. Be happy to sauté some greens earlier than including the sauce substances, or stir in spinach or kale towards the tip.

Is This Child-Pleasant / Toddler-Pleasant?
Very! The mini meatballs and small pasta form make it simple for little ones to eat, and the delicate tomato sauce is acquainted and comforting. If making it for toddlers, you possibly can preserve the seasoning easy and lower the meatballs even smaller.
Find out how to Retailer and Reheat
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. The pasta will proceed to soak up the sauce because it sits, so when reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. Reheat on the range or within the microwave till warmed by.

Extra One-Pan Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
For extra kid-friendly dinner concepts, try these 5 simple one-pan pasta recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: servings
Serving Dimension: 1 ½ cups
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, use good high quality
- 1 slice white bread, about 30 grams, crumbled or ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup + 3 tablespoons 2% milk, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated, divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 teaspoons onion powder, divided
- 8 ounces 93% floor turkey, or your favourite floor meat
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces anellini pasta, raw (see word under)
- 2 cups rooster bone broth, I used Swansons
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes, I used Tuttorosso
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In a medium mixing bowl mix parmesan, crumbled bread, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 clove garlic, ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Let bread absorb the milk earlier than including floor meat and completely mixing. Form turkey into mini balls roughly ½ tablespoon every.
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Warmth olive oil in a big deep skillet (one with excessive partitions) over medium-low warmth and cook dinner to brown about 2 minutes on all sides (don’t fear about cooking by, they are going to get simmered afterward). Take away from the pan and wipe clear.
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Spray the skillet with oil and add pasta and remaining garlic over medium-high warmth, toast each till fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Add bone broth, Italian seasoning, onion powder, remaining milk, crushed tomatoes and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Carry to a boil over excessive warmth, then add the meatballs again to the pan, stir, cowl and decrease warmth to medium-low. Cook dinner for 10 minutes.
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Uncover and stir; proceed to cook dinner, lined till the pasta is al dente and sauce is thickened, about one other 10-12 minutes. The completed product ought to be saucy, but in addition barely soupy, with a good quantity of liquid. Not on the dryer-side like a mac and cheese.
Final Step:
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Different small pastas like ditalini, alphabets, and even Israeli couscous, work right here– simply alter cooking time accordingly.
In case your pans cowl has a vent gap, it’s possible you’ll want so as to add further broth, preserve one other 1-2 cups available simply in case. Examine pastas doneness as you cook dinner.
Serving: 1 ½ cups, Energy: 425.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 26 g, Fats: 10 g, Saturated Fats: 3 g, Ldl cholesterol: 51 mg, Sodium: 691.5 mg, Fiber: 3.5 g, Sugar: 7.5 g




