Description
This easy Spaghetti O’s with Meatballs recipe combines tender pasta rings in a rich natural tomato sauce with homemade plant-based meatballs. Quick to prepare and wholesome, it offers a comforting, family-friendly, plant-based meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- Spaghetti rings (pasta) – 2 cups
Plant-Based Meatballs
- Plant-based protein (e.g., textured vegetable protein or plant meat substitute) – 1 cup
- Minced onion (fresh) – 1/4 cup
- Minced garlic (fresh) – 2 cloves
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley) – 2 tbsp chopped
- Natural gelling agent – 1 tsp
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Black pepper – 1/4 tsp
Tomato Sauce
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
- Chopped onion (fresh) – 1/2 cup
- Minced garlic (fresh) – 2 cloves
- Tomato sauce (natural) – 1 1/2 cups
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 tbsp
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) – 1 tbsp
- Salt – to taste
- Black pepper – to taste
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley) – 2 tbsp chopped
- Plant-based cheese (optional) – 1/4 cup shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta rings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti rings and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the sauce and meatballs.
- Make the plant-based meatballs: In a bowl, combine your chosen plant-based protein, minced onion, minced garlic, fresh herbs, natural gelling agent, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything binds well, then form into small, bite-sized balls. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs until golden brown and cooked through, turning gently to keep their shape.
- Cook the tomato sauce: In a saucepan, warm olive oil and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add natural tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for several minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Combine pasta, meatballs, and sauce: Stir the cooked spaghetti rings and meatballs into the simmering sauce, ensuring every piece is coated with the rich tomato sauce. Warm everything through for a few minutes so flavors meld perfectly.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the Spaghetti O’s with Meatballs, sprinkle with fresh herbs and plant-based cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs by chopping basil or parsley just before serving for vibrant flavor and color.
- Do not overcook the pasta; keep it slightly firm as it softens when simmered in sauce.
- Shape meatballs uniformly for even cooking and texture retention.
- If the sauce is too thin, simmer longer or add a small pinch of natural gelling agent for thickness.
- Meatballs can be made ahead and frozen before cooking for easy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Spaghetti Os, Meatballs, Plant-Based, Vegan, Quick Dinner, Family Meal, Comfort Food, Gluten Free
