Homemade One-Pot Spaghettios with Meatballs Recipe
Introduction
This Homemade One-Pot Spaghettios with Meatballs recipe is a comforting and easy meal that brings nostalgic flavors to your dinner table. Made with tender meatballs and a flavorful tomato sauce, all cooked together with pasta for a hassle-free dish the whole family will love.

Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups beef broth
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ lb. ground beef
- ⅓ cup crushed Ritz crackers (or Italian or Panko breadcrumbs)
- 3 tablespoons half and half (or milk)
- 1 egg (whisked)
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
- ½ lb. Anellini pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine beef broth, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chicken bouillon cube, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried parsley. Set this sauce mixture aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, crushed crackers, 3 tablespoons half and half (or milk), whisked egg, grated Parmesan, 2 cloves minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and onion powder until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Step 4: Roll the meat mixture into ¾-inch meatballs and place them on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until cooked through. Optionally, broil at 475°F (246°C) for up to 1 minute to brown the tops. Remove and set aside.
- Step 5: In a soup pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and tomato paste. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes to build flavor.
- Step 6: Pour the reserved sauce mixture and tomato sauce into the pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Step 7: Add the anellini pasta to the boiling sauce. Maintain a boil and cook uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes or according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula to prevent sticking.
- Step 8: Taste the pasta to check for al dente doneness.
- Step 9: Gently stir in the baked meatballs and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese until combined.
- Step 10: Remove from heat and serve hot. This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or olive oil bread dip for a satisfying meal.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra burst of flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meatball option.
- If you can’t find anellini pasta, small pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo work well.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce thickens too much.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and bake the meatballs a day ahead. Store them in the refrigerator and add to the sauce when reheating the dish.
What if I don’t have half and half?
You can substitute half and half with equal parts milk and cream or simply use whole milk for a lighter option.
Print
Homemade One-Pot Spaghettios with Meatballs Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Homemade One-Pot Spaghettios with Meatballs recipe offers a comforting and flavorful twist on the classic canned favorite. Combining tender baked meatballs and anellini pasta simmered in a rich tomato and herb sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy family meal made with simple ingredients in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups beef broth
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ chicken bouillon cube
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
Meatballs
- ¾ lb. ground beef
- ⅓ cup crushed Ritz crackers (or substitute Italian or Panko breadcrumbs)
- 3 tablespoons half and half (or milk)
- 1 egg (whisked)
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
Sauté Base and Pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
- ½ lb. Anellini pasta
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine the beef broth, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chicken bouillon cube, dried oregano, basil, and parsley. Set aside for later use.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, add ground beef, crushed crackers, half and half, whisked egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and onion powder. Gently mix all together until just combined to keep meatballs tender.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F (204°C) to preheat while preparing the meatballs.
- Form and Bake Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into ¾-inch-sized meatballs and place on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes until cooked through. Optionally broil at 475°F (246°C) for up to 1 minute for a browned top. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Base Ingredients: In a soup pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1 to 2 minutes to develop flavor.
- Add Sauce Mixture and Tomato Sauce: Pour the combined sauce and tomato sauce into the pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add anellini pasta to the boiling sauce. Boil uncovered about 9 to 11 minutes according to package instructions, stirring along the bottom periodically to prevent sticking.
- Check Pasta Doneness: Taste-test pasta to ensure it is cooked al dente before proceeding.
- Add Meatballs and Cheese: Gently stir baked meatballs into the pasta and sauce. Sprinkle in freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and stir until combined.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the homemade Spaghettios hot, ideally alongside garlic bread or olive oil bread dip for a full meal experience.
Notes
- Be careful not to overwork the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Using a light-colored baking sheet helps monitor browning of the meatballs.
- Stir the pasta frequently while it cooks to prevent sticking and settling on the bottom.
- Broiling meatballs briefly will give a nice browned top but is optional.
- Anellini pasta is small and tube-shaped, perfect for mimicking classic Spaghettios texture.
- Serve with garlic or olive oil bread for a delicious accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: one pot, spaghettios, meatballs, homemade, comfort food, quick dinner, skillet pasta

