Cheesy Marinara Skillet Pasta with Mini Meatballs

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!