These delicious spaghetti and meatball nests make a perfect appetizer for a party or can be enjoyed as part of your main dish. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.
6 oz. spaghetti
1 1/2 T. olive oil
cooking spray
1 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 1/2 c. tomato-based pasta sauce
twelve- 1 oz. meatballs, cooked
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, but firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain; toss in a bowl with olive oil; refrigerate until cooled, about 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.
Toss cooled spaghetti with 1 cup Parmesan cheese; divide spaghetti between the 12 prepared muffin cups, arranging noodles in each cup to create nests for the meatballs.
Top each nest with 1 tablespoon pasta sauce, 1 meatball, and another tablespoon pasta sauce, respectively. Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the tops of each meatball nest.
Bake until pasta and meatballs are heated through and cheese melts, 20 - 25 minutes.
Cool a little before transferring muffin bites to a serving platter. Top with basil or parsley leaves.
Makes 12 nests