Classic and Healthy Spaghetti and Baked Meatballs

Oh, how I miss 80s movies!

John Hughes flicks, in particular, are my favorites.

My most-loved scene in The Breakfast Club is when they all sit down to eat lunch and you get a peek into each personality through their food choices.

While my hubby would totally be Andrew (multiple sandwiches, a carton of milk, a bag of each cookies and chips, an apple, and a banana), I would be a cross between Claire (sushi) and Brian (PB and J sandwich, soup, and apple juice), in that some days I feel a bit more food trendy and some days I want a meal that reminds me of being a kid.

Spaghetti and meatballs is definitely a latter selection.

My dad used to make the best spaghetti, often times accompanying it with Italian sausage instead of meatballs, but his sauce is what really made the dish, as is the case generally speaking.

On a Claire day, I would be eating this meal with spaghetti squash or ‘zoodles’, but the Brian in me would choose a whole wheat (or spelt, in this case) angel hair pasta. Obviously, you can eat this either way the wind blows you.

Though I don’t have the secret to my dad’s sauce, I’ve created an easy one that I think would compliment any chosen noodle deliciously!

Topped with a few moist and flavorful meatballs, this makes a killer dish for both adults and kids, and it all comes together in a relatively short amount of time!

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Classic and Healthy Spaghetti and Meatballs

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 493 kcal

Author: Lauren Goslin

Ingredients

• SAUCE:
• 2 T. olive oil
• 1 c. yellow onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 t. red pepper flakes
• 1 t. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. sea salt
• 3 c. tomato puree not sauce
• 1 c. water
• 2 T. fresh basil or parsley chopped
• MEATBALLS:
• 1 1/4 lbs. ground beef
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 egg
• 2 t. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. quick oats I use Country Choice Organic Oats
• 1/4 c. grated parmesan
• 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1/4 t. dried basil
• salt and pepper
• noodles of your choice (one pound, if using regular pasta)
• chopped parsley for garnish
• grated parmesan for serving

Instructions

1. FOR THE SAUCE:
2. Heat the oil and add the onion and a dash of salt.
3. Saute for five minutes.
4. Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano and salt.
5. Saute 30 seconds.
6. Pour in the sauce and water, stirring to combine everything.
7. Simmer on low for 10-12 minutes, until slightly thickened.
8. Stir in basil or parsley.
9. FOR THE MEATBALLS:
10. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
11. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
12. Roll the mixture into 20 equal-sized meatballs and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
13. Bake 10-12 minutes until no longer pink in the middle.
14. Once baked, transfer them to a plate lined with a couple of paper towels to soak up any excess fat.
15. Serve with noodles of your choice, extra fresh parsley or basil, and grated parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes

Nutrition facts are based on using fresh basil, one ounce of parmesan, and one pound of whole wheat angel hair pasta. No extra parsley or parmesan for the toppings are included in the stats. WW points (new system): 12

Nutrition Facts

Classic and Healthy Spaghetti and Meatballs

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 493 Calories from Fat 176

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 19.6g 30%

Saturated Fat 5.9g 30%

Polyunsaturated Fat 13.7g

Cholesterol 173mg 58%

Sodium 615mg 26%

Total Carbohydrates 28.7g 10%

Dietary Fiber 5.6g 22%

Sugars 10.6g

Protein 51.9g 104%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Inspired by this recipe

Again, feel free to use any noodle or zoodle of your choice, but for this recipe, I love this spelt angel hair pasta…

In staying with my Hughes movie theme, I leave you with one of my favorite BF quotes: ‘We’re all bizarre, some of us are just better at hiding it…’

What is your Breakfast Club personality?

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