Have I mentioned before that I LOVE pasta? I know I have and I don't care. Especially pasta that has been hiding in my childhood memories like this one.
I am always craving that classic cheesy canned pasta with those little meatballs. You know which one I am talking about. And as I almost caved the other day and bought one I once again stopped to read the nutrition label....talk about all that sodium! And sugar! Yikes! And I sadly put the can back. But I happen to be a food blogger and knew I needed to replicate this nostalgic favorite at home.
Take a trip down memory lane, but without all those bad preservatives!
Homemade marinara sauce is tossed in cheese and quinoa pasta and topped with mini meatballs!
You Need:
For the sauce:
1 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes ( I boiled and peeled my roma tomatoes from the garden)
1-2 cups of water
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbs tomato paste
3-4 garlic cloves minced
½ white onion diced
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3-4 chopped basil leaves
1 cup reduced fat mozzarella
¼ cup parmesan
For the meatballs:
1 lb lean ground beef
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 egg
½ cup panko bread crumbs
1 tbs chopped parsley
2 tbs freshly grated parmesan
2-3 chopped basil leaves
salt and pepper
1 box of quinoa pasta ( or low carb elbow pasta)
Directions:
In a medium sauce pan heat oil, garlic, and onion on medium heat
Stir continuously so the veggies don't burn for 3-5 minutes or until onion starts to soften
Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute
Add tomatoes with juice to pan and bring to a boil
Reduce heat and add water, basil, and red pepper flakes ( optional)
Simmer and stir occasionally for 40 minutes
While the sauce simmers, make the meatballs
In a large mixing bowl combine all meatball ingredients and combine thoroughly
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a rimmed baking pan
Roll out meatballs ( about a teaspoon size) and place on baking pan until you have used all the meat mixture
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through ( don't turn off oven yet)
While the meatballs make pasta according to box instructions
Add meatballs and cheese to sauce
Drain pasta
Toss pasta with sauce and meatballs in a large skillet
Top with additional mozzarella and parmesan
Put skillet in oven for 10 minutes
Serve!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
love it! those mini meatballs....swoon!
comfortablydomestic says
I bet this recipe is a million times better than the nostalgic favorite.
Cooking In Stilettos (@cookinstilettos) says
Comfort food - but better 🙂 I love how you resisted the call of the childhood canned fave and made an option that I'm sure is 100xs better!
Paula - bell'alimento says
What's not to love about this!
Meseidy says
Oh all the cheese and meatballs! 😀
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Nom. Nom. I'd love to dig into that skillet with a big fork!
Dinnermom says
Sounds fabulous!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
That sauce sounds scrumptious!
The Food Hunter says
I love the mini meatballs!! so cute
foodiewithfamily says
My goodness but that sounds fabulously comfortable!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
I've been wanting to make something like this for my daughter's lunch box! She used to love that canned crap but became wise to it in the last year or so. Still, I think she'd adore a homemade version that is better for you!