Grilled Meatballs and Spaghetti is a twist on the classic family favorite. Grilling the meatballs brings a smoky flavor to this spaghetti and meatballs you wouldn’t expect.
Sometimes I know my husband thinks I’m off my rocker. This is one of those recipes. He read the menu. “Grilled meatballs and spaghetti?” Yup! Grilled meatballs.
You see, I was inspired by the cevapi I had in Bosnia. Since then I’ve been drooling over other types of ground meat recipes that are grilled like kofta and what not. These recipes got me to thinking about other ways to grill round meat than in a hamburger.
Don’t get me wrong. I love a good burger. But, you know me. I’m always interested in the new and different recipes that I can come up with. Take these onion bombs for instance. I know he thought I’d lost it with these, too, until he tasted them. Then he was all for making them again.
He definitely was NOT all for making these again. I was because thought they were delicious! I loved the smoky flavor that grilling the meatballs gave the dish. It would work well with a sauce made with fire-roasted tomatoes. Can you imagine? The smoke from the grilled meatballs and the smoke from the fire roasted tomatoes? Oh. Now I have to make that recipe.
A word of caution with these meatballs. The hubs said they weren’t that easy to turn over and to be careful. I personally think that he didn’t oil the grates on our grill well enough, but that’s just me. It could also be that I used a really lean ground beef and there wasn’t enough fat to keep them from sticking. So, there’s that, too.
But don’t skip grilling them. It just wouldn’t the same meatballs and spaghetti if you didn’t. They’d just be REGULAR meatballs and spaghetti. Which is kind of not the point of this post. This post about something interesting and different. And these are interesting and different.
I was thinking about what other recipes that are usually baked that could be grilled. Meatloaf? Have you grilled meatloaf? CAN you grill meatloaf? I don’t see why not. I mean, it’s just one giant hamburger, right? Who says you can’t grill it? My husband probably.
Seriously. Just look at those meatballs! How can you even think it’s not a good idea to grill them? Those grill marks that char; you just know they’re going to be packed with delicious flavor. It also helps that I seasoned the meat with Italian herbs and spices. That way I was assured amazing flavor in every grilled meatball bite.
Then you simmer them in the sauce just a little bit. I mean, you don’t want your dinner guests or your family to know that you’ve grilled the meatballs. You want it to be a surprise. One of those “what IS that flavor” moments you relish in.
I relish in them. Don’t you?
Covered in sauce, you can disguise these delicious gems. Hide the grill marks and smoky flavor. You can wow your guests! They’ll be all like “OMG these are the best meatballs ever!” And you’ll be like, “I know. I grilled them” all nonchalant like. “Grilled them? That’s genius!!” “I know. Thank you!”
Is it time for dinner yet? I think I need to make these again. That pile of meatballs on top of that spaghetti is making my stomach growl. GROWL I tell you! I think we have some hamburger in the freezer. That’s it! I’m totally making this this weekend for dinner! I can’t wait to have it again!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve grilled?
Make sure to see what the others cooked up for #BBQWeek!
Grilled Meatballs and Spaghetti
Grilled Meatballs and Spaghetti is a twist on the classic family favorite. Grilling the meatballs brings a smoky flavor to this spaghetti and meatballs you wouldn’t expect.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch crushed red pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces uncooked pasta
- 50 ounces (two jars) Roasted Garlic and Caramelized Onion Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Sauce
Instructions
- Combine first six ingredients (ground beef through salt and pepper) in a medium mixing bowl. Using your hands, fold the ingredients together until combined.
- Roll out into 24 meatballs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place a skewer through the right side of four meatballs, then run a second skewer through the left side of the meaballs and place on a plate.
- Preheat grill to high and grill 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until almost cooked through.
- While the meatballs are grilling, cook the pasta according to package directions omitting the salt and fat. Place the sauce in a large skillet on medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- When the meatballs are almost cooked through, remove them from the grill and place in the skillet turning to coat in the sauce. Allow the sauce to continue to simmer until the meatballs are coked through.
- Divide the pasta evenly between 6 plates. Top with one skewer of meatballs and sauce. Garnish with Parmesa cheese and serve with garlic bread.
Welcome to #BBQWeek
Let’s fire up the grill, serve up some burgers or steaks or chicken and some delicious sides and desserts! Follow #BBQWeek so you don’t miss one delicious recipe. There are more than 20 recipes this week from some amazing bloggers.
- Best Memorial Day Hamurgers from Dad What’s 4 Dinner
- Gigi’s Baked Beans from Family Around The Table
- Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki from Caroline’s Cooking
- Grilled Fruit Cobbler from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Grilled Marinated London Broil from Feeding Big
- Jerk Chicken from Palatable Pastime
- Grilled Meatballs and Spaghetti from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Never through to grill meatballs, but it’s a great option for warm weather, instead of heating up the house.
Chris says
They’re so good! I hope you try them.
Caroline says
This is such a fu twist and I can see it adding a great flavor.
Chris says
It really does. Thank you!
Leslie says
Oh my gosh, these sound amazing! I love spaghetti and meatballs, it is my favorite meal. I am going to try this on my heathens, hah. They are going to love them.
Chris says
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the grilled meatballs in this dish. They’re so delicious and interesting.
Cynthia says
I have to admit that I would never have thought to grill meatballs for spaghetti sauce. I am now rethinking that. These look great
Chris says
You should try it! The grilling makes such an interesting flavor.
Jolene says
Double skewer is a great idea! The strangest thing I’ve grilled is chocolate chip cookies. I was pregnant, it was July and I didn’t want to heat up the house. 🙂
Chris says
Okay. That’s a good one! Grilled chocolate chip cookies. I have got to try that. The double skewers do make them easier to grill.
Sue Lau says
Such a creative use of the grill!
Chris says
Thank you!
Camilla @ Culinary Adventures says
I cannot wait to try this! Grilled meatballs?!?! You are a genius, Christie. Thanks for sharing. These will be on my to-cook soon.
Chris says
Thank you! They’re super delicious and makes the traditional family dish definitely different.
Jan Thomas says
Well I wasn’t expecting that idea! How fun and creative! and on a hot night, to cook everthing outside? Yes please!
Chris says
Thank you! It does keep most of the heat out of the kithen.
Wendy Klik says
I can see how these would work. I make grilled gyro kebabs using ground lamb and they are wonderful.
Chris says
Exactly! That’s what inspired me to make these.
Quinn Caudill says
I get the same look from my wife when I tell her what I am cooking. This sounds awesome and a great twist on the classic. How do you keep the noodles from falling through the grates? :))
Chris says
Hahahahahaha. Grill pan? It’s good to know I’m not alone in this.
Ellen says
What a great idea to grill meatballs! I bet the flavor is amazing.
Chris says
It is! You should try it.