Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs
Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs
These Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs are such a fun and easy way to serve classic spaghetti and meatballs. Tender spaghetti nests are cooked until al dente, then each nest is filled with warm tomato sauce and topped with a homemade meatball.
I found spaghetti nests at the grocery store and immediately thought they would be perfect for individual servings of spaghetti and meatballs. Instead of tossing all of the pasta together with the sauce, the nests keep their pretty shape on the plate. Add sauce to the center and place one meatball on top for an easy dinner that looks a little more special.
This recipe is perfect for a family dinner, Italian night, Valentine’s Day dinner, or even a dinner party.
Why You’ll Love Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs
- Fun twist on spaghetti and meatballs
- Easy individual servings
- Made with store-bought spaghetti nests
- Homemade meatballs and tomato sauce
- Kid-friendly family dinner
- Pretty enough for entertaining
- Easy to customize with your favorite sauce
What Are Spaghetti Nests?
Spaghetti nests are long strands of dried pasta that have been twisted into individual nest shapes.
You cook them similarly to regular spaghetti, but if you handle them gently while cooking and draining, they can retain some of their pretty nest shape.
They’re perfect for this recipe because the center creates a natural little space for tomato sauce and a meatball.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Spaghetti Nests
- 6 to 8 dried spaghetti nests
- Water for boiling
- Salt for the pasta water
- Grated or shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving
- Fresh basil or parsley, optional
How to Make Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs
Make the Meatballs
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Add the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley to a large bowl.
Gently mix until combined. Don’t overwork the meat.
Form the mixture into meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked to a safe internal temperature.
Make the Tomato Sauce
While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and keep everything warm while you prepare the pasta.
How to Cook Spaghetti Nests
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Carefully lower the spaghetti nests into the boiling water.
Cook according to the package directions until al dente.
Try not to stir them aggressively while they’re cooking. You want to loosen the pasta enough for it to cook evenly without completely destroying the nest shape.
Carefully remove each cooked spaghetti nest using a large slotted spoon or pasta server and allow the excess water to drain.
Place each nest directly onto a serving plate.
Assemble the Spaghetti and Meatball Nests
Spoon some of the warm tomato sauce into the center of each cooked spaghetti nest.
Place one homemade meatball right in the center.
Spoon a little additional sauce over the meatball if desired.
Finish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.
Serve immediately while everything is warm.
Can I Use Jarred Pasta Sauce?
Absolutely.
Homemade sauce is delicious, but this recipe is also perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Use your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce and warm it in a saucepan before adding the cooked meatballs.
Can I Use Frozen Meatballs?
Yes. If you’re short on time, use your favorite frozen Italian-style meatballs.
Cook them according to the package directions and warm them in your tomato sauce before assembling the spaghetti nests.
That turns this into a really easy dinner.
How Do You Keep Spaghetti Nests Together?
The nests will naturally loosen somewhat as they cook, so don’t expect them to remain as tightly wound as they look in the package.
The trick is to avoid vigorously stirring the pasta.
Carefully remove each nest from the water and immediately arrange it on the serving plate. If necessary, use a fork or tongs to gently tuck some of the spaghetti back into a round nest shape.
Once you add the sauce and meatball to the center, they’ll look beautiful.
What to Serve with Spaghetti Nests
Serve these spaghetti nests with garlic bread, cheesy breadsticks, a Caesar salad, garden salad, or roasted vegetables.
For a simple dinner, all you really need is some warm garlic bread on the side.
Recipe Tips
Don’t overcook the spaghetti nests or they’ll become too soft to hold their shape.
Handle the nests gently while they’re cooking and draining.
If a nest comes apart slightly, simply use a fork or tongs to twirl the pasta back into shape on the plate.
You can use homemade or store-bought spaghetti sauce.
Homemade, refrigerated, or frozen meatballs will all work.
For an extra cheesy version, add freshly grated Parmesan or mozzarella before serving.
An Easy New Way to Serve Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sometimes changing the presentation of a familiar dinner makes it feel completely new.
That’s exactly what happened with these Spaghetti Nests with Meatballs. Instead of piling spaghetti onto a plate and covering everything with sauce, each little pasta nest gets its own spoonful of tomato sauce and a homemade meatball right in the center.
It’s still the comforting spaghetti and meatballs everyone loves—just served in a much prettier way.
