Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs is a high-protein pasta recipe ready in 45 min. It makes 4 servings, each 730 kcal with 39 g protein. Intermediate level, 13 ingredients.

Adapted from a home cook's recipe and measured by Cookpath.

  • 45 mintotal
  • Intermediatelevel
  • 730kcal a serving
  • 39 gprotein
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Spaghetti & Meatballs

What is Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti with browned beef meatballs seasoned with paprika and curry powder, simmered in a tomato passata sauce and topped with coriander.

More:High-protein beef recipesBeef recipes

How to make Spaghetti & Meatballs

Tips from the cook

  • Grate the onion into the mince, so it blends in and keeps the meatballs moist.
  • Do not overwork the mince, or the meatballs turn dense.
  • Brown the meatballs on all sides first, as it adds flavour to the sauce.
  • Boil the pasta two minutes short, as it finishes cooking in the sauce.
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Goes well with

Sides from Cookpath that balance this dish, the same picks the app suggests.

Creamy Radish Salad10 min · 70 kcalHot Honey Garlic Bread2 h · 330 kcal

Meal prep and storage

Keeps 3 days in the fridge, and the meatballs freeze well in the sauce.

Prep a few days

See this week’s meal prep plan on the blog, or plan your own week in the app.

Spaghetti & Meatballs substitutions

Out of something, or cooking around an allergy. Each swap was checked against a source.

Onion2 options
  • Leek, white and light-green part 1:1 by volume

    Still an allium; raw dishes.

  • Fennel bulb, finely diced 1:1 by volume

    Sweet aniseed note; raw dishes.

Breadcrumbs2 options
  • Gluten-free breadcrumbs 1:1 by weight
  • Crushed rice cereal or polenta 1:1 by weight

    Check label for gluten.

Curry powder3 options
  • Homemade mix: 2 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp coriander, 1 tbsp chilli flakes, 1 tbsp turmeric, 1 tbsp black pepper same amount as the curry powder called for

    Chilli can be cut for a milder version.

  • Garam masala 1:1 (interchangeable, milder)

    Milder.

  • Ground cumin + lots of black pepper + a little dried chilli to taste

    Different vibe.

Beef stock3 options
  • Vegetable stock (check the label for celery) 1:1 by volume

    Less meaty; vegetable stock typically includes celery.

    Still contains celery.

  • Mushroom broth (a handful of dried or fresh shiitake simmered in plain water 20-30 min) 1:1 by volume

    Earthy rather than beefy.

  • Miso in hot water (1-2 tsp white or yellow miso per 1 cup water) 1:1 by volume

    Added late, do not boil hard; miso may also carry gluten (not confirmed).

    Still contains soy.

Spaghetti1 option
  • Gluten-free pasta (corn/rice or corn-rice blend) 1:1 by weight; cook per packet, slightly al dente

    Soups (goes soft fast) and long simmers.

Fresh coriander2 options
  • Flat-leaf parsley + squeeze of lime 1:1

    Less citrus.

  • Mint or Thai basil use 3/4

    Minty.

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