Baked spaghetti cups with meatballs are a simple dinner or school lunch idea that everyone will love. Spaghetti, marinara, cheese, and meatballs are baked into a fun handheld dinner kids love. Gluten-free.
Since sharing this baked spaghetti and meatball recipe, it has become a favorite. My kids request them all the time, and they are so fun in a thermos in their lunch boxes. No doubt your kids will love this recipe too!
For more kid friendly recipes, check out our Fruit Salad for Kids, Kid-Friendly Meatloaf and Kid-Friendly Tater Tot Casserole.
Hot Lunch Ideas
Spaghetti with meatballs is a family favorite. Our recipe changes this classic into a handheld dinner perfect for any night of the week or a school lunch idea that can easily be packed in a thermos.
Packing a thermos for hot lunch is a great way to send leftovers with your kids to enjoy during the school day. Along with these spaghetti and meatball cups, our Gluten Free Chicken Enchiladas, Velveeta Cheese Sauce, Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Soup and Spaghetti O’s Recipe are a few other recipes to consider packing.
These lunch ideas for thermos meals are not only delicious but also allow your child to have a hot meal along with their classmates that is celiac safe.
Ready to get started? Grab the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card below. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces gluten-free spaghetti, cooked per box instructions
- 1 large egg ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided✅
- 1 cup marinara sauce ✅
- 12 precooked meatballs ✅
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
Blend the noodle mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, blend the cooked spaghetti noodles with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Divide among 12 muffin tins, pushing the pasta down to fit.
Top the spaghetti cups
Add a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of the spaghetti. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce. Place a meatball on top.
Bake
Bake for 20 minutes.
Serve
Enjoy right away, refrigerate, reheat & serve in a thermos for school lunch, or freeze for later.
You can watch the recipe made on this segment of the cooking show, Living With Amy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Easily turn this recipe vegetarian by omitting the meatball or swapping with a meatless alternative.
These cups can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave in increments until hot. If frozen, reheat straight from the freezer until hot.
Of course! Both our Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs and Gluten Free Beef Meatballs can be prepped in advance, stored in the freezer then used in this recipe.
How To Fill A Thermos
Depending on the age of your child, they might be at the age to start packing their own lunch. As parents, we can help show our kids how to safely fill a thermos. Follow these easy step by step directions to guide your kids:
- Fill with boiling water. Heat water in a microwave-safe container until boiling. Let your kids watch for bubbles to start forming then use a hot pad to carefully remove from the microwave. Slowly pour the boiling water into the thermos. You can also try using really hot tap water and see if that keeps the food hot enough in your thermos.
- Place the lid on. After the water has been added, place the lid on and let the thermos sit for 2-5 minutes. During this time, instruct your kids to heat up the food in the microwave they are planning to pack.
- Pour out water. Pour out all the water from the thermos after the food is heated then and add the hot food to the thermos.
- Pack. Tightly secure the lid onto the thermos and pack in a lunchbox.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Read the side or back of the pasta box to learn how long to cook gluten free spaghetti noodles
- To pack in your thermos, microwave the food until hot then add to your hot thermos
- Always use oven mitts when placing or removing a pan from the oven
- Serve at dinner with your favorite vegetable or try Italian Zucchini Tots
More Sack Lunch Ideas
- Gluten-Free Lunch Box Ideas
- Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas
- Homemade Lunchables
- DIY Instant Oatmeal Packets
- Mug Pizza
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Baked Spaghetti Cups
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten-free spaghetti, cooked per box instructions
- 1 large egg ✅
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided ✅
- 1 cup marinara sauce ✅
- 12 precooked meatballs ✅
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Blend the noodle mixture. In a medium-sized bowl, blend the cooked spaghetti noodles with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Divide among 12 muffin tins, pushing the pasta down to fit.12 ounces gluten-free spaghetti, cooked per box instructions, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Top the spaghetti cups. Add a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of the spaghetti. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce. Place a meatball on top.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided, 1 cup marinara sauce, 12 precooked meatballs
- ⭐️ Bake. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve. Enjoy right away, refrigerate, reheat & serve in a thermos for school lunch, or freeze for later.
Notes
How To Fill A Thermos
Depending on the age of your child, they might be at the age to start packing their own lunch. As parents, we can help show our kids how to safely fill a thermos. Follow these easy step by step directions to guide your kids:- Fill with boiling water. Heat water in a microwave-safe container until boiling. Let your kids watch for bubbles to start forming then use a hot pad to carefully remove from the microwave. Slowly pour the boiling water into the thermos. You can also try using really hot tap water and see if that keeps the food hot enough in your thermos.
- Place the lid on. After the water has been added, place the lid on and let the thermos sit for 2-5 minutes. During this time, instruct your kids to heat up the food in the microwave they are planning to pack.
- Pour out water. Pour out all the water from the thermos after the food is heated then and add the hot food to the thermos.
- Pack. Tightly secure the lid onto the thermos and pack in a lunchbox.
Nutrition
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Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
EA The Spicy RD says
Such a fun recipe! My kids are teenagers now, so, they either buy their lunch, or sometimes pack something basic like a sandwich and fruit. But, I remember when they were younger, trying to come up with fun and creative ideas. Looks like you’ve got it all figured out!
Create Kids Club says
Thanks EA! I don’t really have it all figured out – I am not a fan of the time it takes for fun and creative ideas, so they have to be super easy or I lose interest. Poor kids 😉 I am sure these days will fly by as quickly as those before, and I’ll have high schoolers doing the same as yours. I’ll try to remember how quickly time passes when I start dreading those lunches…!
Mary says
My kids loved these!
Beth says
LOVE this recipe Jodi! We will be featuring you starting Wednesday at the Creative Crafts Linky Party! Pinned and shared
Creatively, Beth
Nicolle says
Jodi these are a fantastic idea! I struggle with coming up with creative ideas for my kid’s lunches and they would love these! Thank you so much for linking up at my weekly link party! I’m happy to be featuring you this week!
https://www.ourtinynest.com/2023/01/04/weekly-link-party-329/