Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Easy One Pot Spaghetti and Ghostballs Recipe

 Welcome to my West Virginia kitchen!  Are you looking for a fun, spooky twist on your classic spaghetti dinner?  This easy One Pot Spaghetti and Ghostballs Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and a hit with kids!  


The pan of Easy One Pot Spaghetti and Ghostballs in the pan.

With a hauntingly good mix of tender spaghetti, juicy meatballs made to look like little "ghosts", and a flavorful sauce, this dish is bound to become a new family favorite.  Plus, it all cooks in one pot, saving you time and minimizing cleanup!  I can't wait to share it with you so...


Let's get started!







WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:

  • Kid-Friendly and Fun:  The ghost-shaped meatballs make dinner entertaining and exciting for children (and adults).
  • One Pot Convenience:  Fewer dishes to wash means more time to relax after dinner.  
  • Quick and Easy:  Perfect for a weeknight meal that's ready in about 30 minutes.  
  • Customizable:  Use your favorite type of pasta switch up the sauce, or even make it gluten-free.  





INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 lb of Spaghetti 
  • 1 (24 oz) jar of Marinara Sauce
  • 4 cups of Water or Chicken Broth
  • 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar (optional)
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 (32 oz) bag of Frozen Meatballs
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • Sliced Mozzarella 
  • Sliced Black Olives, cut into pieces for the eyes





INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Prepare the Pasta:  In a deep pan or Dutch Oven, add the water/broth and pasta sauce.  Add the brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder.  Taste for seasoning and add any salt or pepper you feel it needs.  Bring the liquid to a boil and then add your uncooked pasta.  The pasta must be totally submerged in the liquid, so you may have to break it in half.  Bring the pasta back to a boil.  
  2. Add the Meatballs and Cook:  Once the pasta and liquid has returned to a boil add the meatballs.  Give everything a stir so the pasta will not stick together.  Cover and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  After 10 minutes, remove the lid and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The pasta should absorb the majority of the liquid.  
  3. Assemble the Ghostballs:  Once your pasta and meatballs are fully cooked, grab 5 or 6 of the meatballs and nestle on the top of the pasta.  Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over the meatballs, return the lid, and let the cheese melt.  Once the cheese has melted over the meatballs they should resemble a "ghost".  Chop a few of the black olives into tiny pieces and place on the front of the meatball ghost for eyes.  
  4. Serve and Enjoy:  Scoop and healthy portion of pasta with a ghostball on top and enjoy!   For a complete meal serve with a simple salad or steamed vegetable of choice.  













TIPS AND TRICKS:
  • Vegetarian Version:  Swap the ghostballs with plant-based meatballs or mushrooms for a vegetarian twist.  
  • Gluten-Free:  Use gluten-free pasta as well as making sure your frozen meatballs are gluten-free to make this dish GF friendly.  





FAQs:


Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely!  While spaghetti works great for this recipe, feel free to use any pasta shape you like.  Just adjust the cooking time as needed. 








Ready to give your family a spook-tacular dinner with this One Pot Spaghetti and Ghostballs Recipe?  It's a great way to make weeknight meals fun and festive, with minimal effort.  Whether you're celebrating Halloween or just looking for a fun twist on classic spaghetti, these ghost-shaped meatballs are sure to haunt your dinner table in the best way possible!  

And as always...

Happy Eatin' Y'all!
~The Kitchen Wife~



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