Spaghetti-Stuffed Meatballs Recipe

A giant meatballs recipe with a surprise in every bite

When chef and a self-described food history nerd, Chrysta Wilson told me she created a dish inspired by the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs II, my first thought was, “This will never work for an aphrodisiac foods website.”

But then I saw her spaghetti-stuffed meatballs and I said, “We’ve got to have this recipe!”

If you visit our site frequently, Chrysta’s name is probably familiar to you. She’s not only one of my personal favorite pastry chefs, Chrysta is the author of one of the best-selling bundt cake books of all time, Kiss My Bundt: recipes from the award-winning bakery.

But Chrysta’s no slouch when it comes to savory food. She’s created many a memorable meal in our test kitchen. And this recipe, which she calls her Spaghetti In Meatballs is one of her best. It is definitely her most fun recipe creation so far.

TO TRY: Chrysta’s Balsamic-Glazed, Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Spaghetti IN Meatballs?

Yes! Chrysta puts the Spaghetti inside the meatballs!

When it comes to the ingredients, the recipe is a pretty basic version of the beloved Italian, spaghetti and meat dish. So if you’re experienced with making spaghetti and meatballs, you already have the basics down. The only difference is that with this recipe, you’re forming giant meatballs stuffed with spaghetti.

How do you make a giant, spaghetti-stuffed meatball?

I admit, this does sound tricky.

I think it took Chrysta some trial and error to get just the right technique. But if you follow the steps, the task of stuffing meatballs with spaghetti is surprisingly low-stress.

The trick is that you have to form the spaghetti into tight bundles. (Follow Chrysta’s direction using chopsticks for this task.) But then you must freeze these tightly wound bundles of spaghetti. Do not try to skip the step of freezing the spaghetti!

Then you just form your well-seasoned, ground beef mixture into patties. You place the frozen spaghetti in the center of the patty, top with the cheese – don’t skimp on the mozzarella – and shape the ground meat patty into a ball around the noodles.

What you have is a large meatball filled with everything there is to love about spaghetti and meatballs only in an irresistible package. How can you not love this meatball and spaghetti recipe?

Watch a demo of this recipe for meatball with spaghetti inside

If you’re still feeling unsure, you can watch Chrysta demonstrate the whole recipe on her Youtube show, Dishing on Movies.

Why this is a stuffed meatballs and spaghetti recipe for date night

I could try to sell you on the fact that this recipe is aphrodisiac because it features several ingredients with an aphrodisiac history, or nutrients proven beneficial to your sex life. After all, garlic is a noted aphrodisiac.

And although you might not suspect it, the tomato paste in your sauce is actually also a potential libido enhancer. Tomato paste contains a higher content of lycopene than a fresh tomato would. And lycopene is linked with improved libido.

TO TRY: Gnudi – The Naked Ravioli

Even parmesan cheese and parsley are all linked with romance. Here’s a fun food fact: Did you know that cheese naturally improves mouth health? That’s right, eating cheese can make you more kissable! (And it can cut down on gum disease.)

Spaghetti-Stuffed Meatballs offer mess-free eating

But the real reason I’m showcasing this stuffed meatballs and spaghetti recipe as a date night dish is more basic. Unless you’re Lady & the Tramp, spaghetti can be one of the worst food choices for a date. It can be messy, it’s sloppy and it can reveal a lack of coordination. So unless you’re expert in neatly rolling spaghetti on your fork, traditional spaghetti and meatballs is a dish best avoided when trying to impress a date.

But if you take that spaghetti, pre-roll it and surprise your date by hiding it in giant meatballs?…You’ve just turned one of the worst date foods in history into one of the best surprises ever served on a plate, haven’t you?

This is one spaghetti and red sauce recipe that’s virtually mess-free. And the presentation practically guarantees you get the exact right meat to noodle ratio with every bite.

Everyone will love this spaghetti surprise

So whether you serve Chrysta’s stuffed meatball recipe to a potential romantic conquest or you just make a batch to entertain your friends and family, you’re going to score huge bonus points for both creativity and humor with this meatball surprise. It really has to be one of the best spaghetti presentation ideas ever written. And by the way, did I mention that the flavor of Chrysta’s fluffy, mozzarella and pasta-laced meatballs is fantastic, too?

Want more of Chrysta’s recipes? Don’t miss her recipe for Buttermilk Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with Lardons. It’s sweet and savory at the same time!

Spaghetti In Meatballs

Print Recipe

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Chef Chrysta Wilson shares this clever presentation idea for stuffing homemade, giant meatballs with spaghetti for a fun and memorable, (not to mention mess-free) dish. Enjoy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredient ground beef, spaghetti

Prep Time 1 hr

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Servings 4

Author Chrysta Wilson

Ingredients

• 1/4 lb thin spaghetti
• 3 oz Mozzerella cheese sliced into 8 rounds
• 1/5 lbs ground beef 15% fat
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 med shallot minced
• 1/4 cup Italian parsley
• 1 egg optional
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup Marinara sauce
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Cook spaghetti according to package instructions to al dente texture. Drain.
• Put the beef into a large mixing bowl. Mix in the crushed garlic, salt, garlic powder, shallot and parsley.
• If you like your meatballs moist, crack the egg into a small bowl, scramble lightly and add to the seasoned meat.
• Combine milk and bread crumbs in a small bowl. Add to the ground meat mixture. Let mixture stand at room temperature.
• Using a pair of chopsticks, swirl the spaghetti into 8 small mounds.
• Freeze the noodle balls for 15 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Press a slice of Mozzerella onto the top of each noodle mound.
• To make the meatballs: form the ground meat into patties. Place a noodle mound at the center of each patty and wrap the meat around the noodle and cheese parcel to thoroughly enclose.
• Cook for approx. 30 minutes, until golden.
• To serve, top with warm Marinara and top with Parmesan.

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