Baked spaghetti and 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!
Spaghetti with meatballs is a family favorite. The recipe below changes this classic into a handheld dinner or school lunch idea perfect for any night of the week.
How To Make Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta per box instructions. Drain.
- In a medium-sized bowl, blend cooked spaghetti noodles with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend well.
- Divide spaghetti mixture among 12 muffin tins, pushing down to fit.
- Add a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the sauce.
- Place a meatball on top.
- Cook for 20 minutes. Enjoy right away, refrigerate, reheat & serve in a thermos for school lunch, or freeze for later.
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 lunchboxes.
When asked to do a couple of segments on a local cooking show, Living With Amy, that was all about kids lunch ideas my mind went straight to these Baked Spaghetti and Meatball cups.
You can watch the segment below:
If you enjoyed the recipe make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below! Then follow me on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. I love seeing what you come up with!
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry spaghetti
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1 large egg
- 12 precooked meatballs
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook pasta per box instructions. Drain.
- In a medium-sized bowl, blend cooked spaghetti noodles with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend well.
- Divide spaghetti mixture among 12 muffin tins, pushing down to fit.
- Add a spoonful of marinara sauce on top of the spaghetti.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of the sauce.
- Place a meatball on top.
- Cook for 20 minutes. Enjoy right away, refrigerate, reheat & serve in a thermos for school lunch, or freeze for later.
Notes
Check out more favorite dinner ideas:
Crockpot Chicken Thighs
Baked Taco Cups
Philly cheesesteak Sandwich
Looking For Help With Your Picky Eater?
These simple tips will help bring peace to mealtime & enjoyment back to family meals.
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!