Texas Spaghetti and Meatballs

Get ready to spice up your pasta night with Texas Spaghetti and Meatballs, a bold twist on a classic comfort food! This hearty recipe combines tender beef-and-pork meatballs seasoned with smoky paprika and earthy cumin, simmered in a robust tomato sauce infused with fire-roasted diced tomatoes, green chilies, and a touch of chili powder for a fiery, Southwestern flair. Perfectly al dente spaghetti serves as the base for this smoky, saucy dish, topped with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a refreshing finish. With a balance of rich flavors and a hint of spice, this all-in-one meal is perfect for family dinners or impressing dinner guests. Ready in just about an hour, this Texas-inspired take on spaghetti and meatballs will become your go-to recipe for bringing comfort and heat to the table.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 15-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 15-oz can tomato sauce
• 1 4-oz can chopped green chilies
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 lb spaghetti
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

Mix thoroughly with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and set aside on a tray or plate.

Step 4

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in batches and sear them on all sides until browned but not fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove meatballs and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Reduce heat to medium and sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped green chilies, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.

Step 8

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

While the sauce and meatballs simmer, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.

Step 10

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or chili powder if needed.

Step 11

Serve the meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Step 12

Enjoy your Texas Spaghetti and Meatballs with its smoky, spicy kick!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2746.6 grams (2746.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4648

Total Fat 266.50g	342%
Saturated Fat 94.80g	474%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.90g
Cholesterol 1029mg	343%
Sodium 5915mg	257%
Total Carbohydrate 289.30g	105%
Dietary Fiber 28.60g	102%
Total Sugars 44.30g
Protein 284.20g	568%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 1380mg	106%
Iron 34mg	187%
Potassium 2795mg	59%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.1%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 24.7%