Are you looking for clean eating spaghetti and meatballs recipe? Then this Mini Spaghetti Nests and Italian Meatballs Appetizer recipe is for you!
We are talking clean eating as in no messy slurping of the spaghetti while the sauce is slapping your face clean eating, and not the other, healthy version. 😜
These mini spaghetti nests with Italian meatballs are mess-free bites perfect for special gatherings, be it birthdays, potlucks, football parties, and just because.
A classic dish turned into finger food - can I get a Heck Yeah? 🙌
These entirely satisfying little bites made with creamy Alfredo pasta and Italian-style meatballs in marinara sauce are easy to make and a huge crowd-pleaser!
*DON'T MISS: See how to dress up these spaghetti nests for Halloween at the bottom of the post.
📃 Why it Works
- These are easy to make.
- They feed a crowd.
- No need to make the meatballs (unless you want to). Use the frozen ones!
- They can be made ahead.
- They're delicious! I mean, who doesn't like pasta and meatballs, amirite?
- It’s so fun to pop these little amazeballs in your mouth. Oops, I heard it too. 😳
- They are great warm or at room temperature.
Seriously, this is a super easy and simple recipe that yields delicious (and addictive) little bites.
If you have the time and desire to make your own meatballs and marinara or spaghetti sauce, go right ahead.
Don't get me wrong, I love cooking from scratch for my family, but when planning a party, there's usually no time for that. So, here's the shortcut:
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
- Angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti
- Alfredo sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Italian-style frozen meatballs
- Marinara sauce - If you're not making your own and don't already have a favorite, I highly suggest Rao's Marinara sauce (not an affiliate). It's super flavorful with all fresh and natural ingredients!
- Parmesan and fresh basil to garnish (optional)
🔪 Instructions
* The full and printable recipe is available in the recipe box at the bottom of this post. Also, check out the below tips for the best results.
- Cook thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta until al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat the marinara sauce and meatballs.
- Drain the pasta and mix with Alfredo sauce and Mozzarella cheese.
- Fill each of the 24 holes of a mini muffin tin with pasta mix.
- Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese. Bake.
- Assemble meatballs on top of the nests, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil if desired.
- Thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta for the nests, as I used here, is better than regular spaghetti, which is too bulky for the mini muffin/cupcake tin.
- To make the nests, swirl spaghetti with a fork and release it into the muffin hole; press down on the top to make an indent.
- Let the nests cool for at least 20 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin; otherwise, they might fall apart.
- You can use half the recipe to make 24 nests. This works best for smaller gatherings and when you have heaps of other food. Just know that they are super addictive and go first and fast. 😋
- Make nests ahead of time and assemble with meatballs before serving. They are good at room temperature, too, so you can assemble a few hours before your guests arrive.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
If you cook pasta al dente, you can successfully freeze it. I wouldn't recommend freezing it for this recipe, because:
A. Cooking spaghetti takes as long as it takes to reheat them, and
B. Spaghetti is better pliable when freshly cooked (unless you're looking into freezing the nests - I suppose you could do that if you must).
· Wait for the water to reach a rapid boil before adding pasta to it.
· Add a tablespoon of oil into the water.
· Drain the pasta, rinse and drain again. Serve or mix with a sauce immediately.
Place spaghetti and meatballs on a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 90 seconds, in 30-second increments.
Make them for Halloween:
Use black food coloring to turn this spaghetti and meatballs appetizer into ghoulish bites for your Halloween party, or buy black spaghetti.
How do you color noodles? Easy:
- Mix two tablespoon water with 10 drops of water-based food coloring (liquid gel dye) and place it in a large Ziploc bag.
- Add cooked spaghetti to the bag, seal, and work the pasta into the coloring with your hands.
- Alternatively, you can place it in a bowl and using kitchen tongs, mix the pasta well into the coloring.
- Add halved pearl onions to meatballs to create eyeballs and pour extra marinara sauce on top. Enjoy!
Note: wear disposable gloves and protect your working surface when using food coloring.
- Egyptian Kushari
- Cheesy Spaghetti Nests
- Spaghetti With Veracruz Sauce
- Caramelized Cauliflower And Mushroom Spaghetti
- The Best Spaghetti Carbonara
Try these meatball recipes too:
- German Meatballs In Creamy Caper Sauce
- Neapolitan Sausage, Meatballs, And Rice Timbale
- Swedish Meatballs
- Greek Lamb Meatball Pita Sandwich
- Meatballs Stroganoff
- Bosnian-Style Meatballs
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Mini Spaghetti Nests and Italian Meatballs Appetizer
EQUIPMENT
- mini muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1 pound angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti
- 1 jar your favorite Alfredo sauce, (15 oz.)
- 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 jar Marinara sauce (we like Rao's), (about 24 oz.)
- 1 bag small bag fully cooked frozen mini Italian-style meatballs, ½ oz. per each meatball
- Optional: shredded Parmesan and fresh basil to garnish
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound angel hair pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain and mix with one jar Alfredo sauce and 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese.
- While pasta is cooking, heat the marinara sauce and meatballs until meatballs are no longer frozen and are heated through. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease two mini muffin tins (or work in two batches using one) with cooking spray.
- Fill each of the holes with Alfredo pasta using a fork to twirl it. Press down on the top to create the nest, adding more pasta if necessary. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining cup of Mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes on the middle oven rack. Remove the nests to cool. Carefully remove the nests from the muffin tin.
- Assemble meatballs on top of the nests using toothpicks to secure, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta for the nests, as I used here, is better than regular spaghetti which is too bulky for the mini muffin/cupcake tin.
- To make the nests, swirl spaghetti with a fork and release it into the muffin hole; press down on the top to make an indent.
- Let the nests cool for at least 20 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin, otherwise, they might fall apart.
- You can half the recipe to make 24 nests. This works best for smaller gatherings and when you have heaps of other food. Just know that they are super addictive and go first and fast.
- Make nests ahead of time and assemble with meatballs before serving. They are good at room temperature too, so you can assemble a few hours before your guests arrive.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used and serving size.
Nutrition
NOTE: This post was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for photos and content.
Lisa R says
I made these spaghetti nests using my meatball and sauce recipe for an engagement party. They turned out perfect, and were a huge hit!
Jas says
So happy you liked them! 😀
Rosemary Mohr says
Could I put the spaghetti in the muffin tin and store it in the fridge overnight? Then I would just have to bake them when I got home from work. Thoughts?
Jas says
Hi, Rosemary! Yes, you could definitely do that step ahead of time. 🙂
Brandi says
If I made the nests at 2 AM would they be ok at room temp until 11 AM? Or is it better to make night before..say 7 PM, refrigerate, and then take out of fridge maybe 2-3 hours before serving? Thanks.
Jas says
Hi Brandi, they are totally fine at room temperature for a day (without the meatballs). Of course, don't keep them in a sunny spot but away from any heat source. Enjoy! 🙂
Chelsey says
These spaghetti nest are such fun and creative appetizers!! So yummy and classy - perfect for any party or event.
Jas says
They truly are fun and delicious (but also addictive, lol).
Aleka says
This is one of my favorites!! What a fun and clever way to serve everyone’s favorite dinner as an appetizer?! Spaghetti and meatballs at its finest!!
Jas says
Thanks, Aleka! My family is crazy about them. 🙂
Kim | Give it Some Thyme says
These adorable spaghetti nests must be incredibly delicious! They're perfect for game days and entertaining. YUM!!
Jas says
They truly are, Kim! I've been snacking on them straight out of the fridge, lol.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Brilliant Jas! Just ordered black gel food coloring on amazon and we are ready to go. Thanks so much for your effort on this we really appreciate it! Take Care
Jas says
Thank you, my dear. Hope your guests like them. Have fun and spooktacular party! Hugs 🙂
Shanika @ Orchids + Sweet Tea says
These Spaghetti appetizers look so easy and delicious! Perfect for a gathering and the holidays!
Jas says
They are all of the above, Shanika! Thanks for stopping in. 🙂
Wandercooks says
Yes! Oh my god I didn't realise what I have been missing out on! Making these for our next foodie catchup, and will try to leave some for others to eat haha, but really, no guarantees. Loved this post, thanks so much for the inspo!
Jas says
Yes, make extra! They go quick. I ate half of them while assembling, lol.
Sues says
These are the cutest little appetizers! Perfect for Halloween, but really for any cocktail party. Plus, they look so yummy!
Jas says
Thank you. They are really welcomed at any party. 🙂
Anita says
This is so easy and such a great way to prepare party food. And I love your Halloween idea! Spooky and delicious. 🙂
Jas says
Many thanks, Anita! These are always requested whether I'm going to a party or hosting one. 🙂
Kate says
These are so cute I can't stand it! Can't wait to make these!
Jas says
Yasss! Thanks, Kate. You will love them! 😀
Toni says
Hi Jas. I plan to do your mini spaghetti and meatball appetizers for a party this weekend and was hoping to do all ahead of time. The only difference is, is that I couldn’t find frozen meatballs so I have got fresh mini meatballs that need cooking rather than just heating. Could you please give me some advice on how you would tackle this. Could I cook them the day before then heat them up before serving. Or should I prepare the nests the day before and cook the mini meatballs on the day of the party just before serving? Thanks in advance. Toni
Jas says
Hi, Tony! Sorry, I just now noticed your note here. As mentioned on IG, this is easily prepared ahead of time and reheated or kept at room temperature, whether you use the frozen or fresh meatballs. I'm so happy it was a hit at your party. Thanks for giving it a try! Hugs
Beverly says
I was looking over my Pinterest board for appetizers last week for one that would go with an Italian meal I was planning for my husband’s birthday. I spotted these that I had pinned when you posted it. I had planned on making them, but you know how that can go. Falling under the better late than never list, I made them yesterday and I just had to stop by to tell you how delicious they were. They were easy to put together and our guests and my husband loved them. They will be on my menu again.
Jas says
Oh wow, that just made my day, Beverly! Thank you so much for giving it a try and letting me know. I'm so glad your husband loved them. Happy belated birthday to him! Hugs to you. 😀
becky says
Can you make the noodle part ahead of time?
Jas says
Hi, Becky! You can make everything ahead of time, as I did for the big party. I served them at room temperature and they were great! 😀
Nicole says
Yum! I bet my kids would love these! Thanks for the recipe! #mummymondays
Jas says
It's so much fun to eat! My granddaughters eat more than usual this way 🙂
Jess says
Oh gosh...what a neat idea! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks.
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Jas says
Thank you, Jess! Will do 😀 Wishing you happy holidays!
Mother of 3 says
This recipe sounds amazing and that party-- wow! Every little girl's dream I'm sure.
Jas says
Thank you so much! My older one loved it. 🙂
Dixie says
I just found this.
Oh my gosh! I just LOVE, LOVE these meat balls!
And to think you made 50.
Was there a trick to make ahead and make assembly easy?
thanks so much.
Jas says
Thanks, Dixie! No trick. It really isn't hard. Twirl spaghetti with a fork and drop into mini muffin tins. When you place the meatball on top, secure it with a toothpick. Enjoy!