Spaghetti Legs
Turn dinner into a whimsical and delicious experience with "Spaghetti Legs," a playful twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs that's perfect for family meals or cozy date nights. Combining tender, golden-browned meatballs made from juicy ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and a touch of garlic with perfectly al dente spaghetti, this dish is brought together by a rich, aromatic marinara sauce simmered to perfection. The final assembly—placing the meatballs atop the spaghetti to resemble "legs"—adds a fun and creative flair that will delight kids and adults alike. Garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan, this recipe delivers hearty Italian comfort food in just under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special occasions.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 500 grams ground beef
- 70 grams breadcrumbs
- 50 grams parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 60 milliliters milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 600 milliliters marinara sauce
- 5 leaves fresh basil
- 4 liters water
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling pasta)
Instructions
Bring 4 liters of water to a boil in a large pot and add 1 tablespoon of salt.
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, typically 9-12 minutes for al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, milk, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Mix until well combined.
Use your hands to shape the mixture into small, golf-ball-sized meatballs.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides.
Once the meatballs are browned, pour the marinara sauce into the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
To assemble, divide the cooked spaghetti evenly among plates. Place meatballs on top of the spaghetti to mimic 'legs.'
Spoon the marinara sauce over the spaghetti and meatballs.
Garnish with freshly torn basil leaves and additional grated parmesan cheese, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2797 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 157.0 g | 201% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.3 g | 272% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 624 mg | 208% | |
| Sodium | 11748 mg | 511% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 205.8 g | 75% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.0 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.8 g | ||
| Protein | 147.4 g | 295% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.0 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 982 mg | 76% | |
| Iron | 20.2 mg | 112% | |
| Potassium | 1590 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
