Deep-Fried Spaghetti Balls Served In A Meatball Bowl
Are you ready to forget everything you know about spaghetti & meatballs? An irresistible combination all over the world, this dynamic duo is capable of a lot more than you might think! Why not get creative in the kitchen and switch things up a bit? In this exciting adaptation of a classic dish, the main ingredients play very different roles. Instead of the classic ground beef meatball, this dish features deep-fried spaghetti balls. But don't worry, we didn't lose the beef! Our deep-fried spaghetti balls and tomato sauce get served in a mouthwatering meatball bowl instead. This dish is a real rival to the Italian classic – see for yourself!
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Inactive Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
You'll Need:
For the meatball bowl:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt & pepper
For the deep-fried spaghetti balls:
- 1 lb spaghetti, cooked
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- salt & pepper
- 1 handful of basil, chopped
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 10–15 mozzarella pearls
- 2¼ cups bread crumbs
- cooking oil for frying
For the filling:
- tomato puree
- shredded parmesan to garnish
- fresh basil to garnish
Here's How:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. For the deep-fried spaghetti balls, cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the packaging. In order to keep the pasta at the desired consistency, use unsalted water. Let the spaghetti cool slightly and warm up the tomato puree. Toss the spaghetti with the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, eggs, chopped basil, bread crumbs, and tomato puree. Season the pasta with salt & pepper, then let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes.
2. For the meatball bowl, mix together all of the ingredients in a 9-inch oven-safe bowl. Once the meatball mixture is combined, carefully press and 8-inch oven-safe bowl down into the larger bowl, sandwiching the meatball mixture between the 2 bowls.
3. Keeping the meatball mixture pressed down by the second oven-safe bowl, transfer the meatball bowl to the oven and bake it at 350°F for 45 minutes. Heat a pot filled with cooking oil on the stove. Divide the spaghetti mixture into 10–15 equally sized portions and roll them into balls. Fill each spaghetti ball with 1 mozzarella pearl.
4. Deep fry the spaghetti balls for 5–10 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Once it's done baking, remove the meatball bowl from the 2 oven-safe bowls. Fill the meatball bowl with hot tomato puree and fried spaghetti balls, then garnish it with grated parmesan and fresh basil.
A pasta recipe where you can actually eat the bowl? Now that's really something! This is a great way to switch it up and try something new for all of the pasta lovers out there.
Get the recipe for the Tuscan Spaghetti & Meatballs featured in the bonus video.