This Creamy Spaghetti and Meatballs is a Hearty, Winter Dish You Need for this winter season!
If you're craving something hearty and carb-filled during the cold, snowy winter season, look no further than a comforting pasta dish.
For those who want to try something different from the typical marinara-based spaghetti and meatballs, Hello Fresh offers a delicious Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe that incorporates lemon and scallions for a unique twist.
Cooking for a Family
HelloFresh offers meal kits in different portion sizes, making it convenient for families of varying sizes. The four-portion option is ideal for those who cook for their spouse, children, and occasionally extended family members. This allows for flexibility when it comes to accommodating different family members' preferences and dietary needs.
The Ingredients
The Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe from HelloFresh includes the following ingredients:
- 4 Scallions
- 1 lemon
- 20 ounces of ground beef
- 1/2 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons of Ketchup
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 12 ounces of spaghetti noodles
- 8 ounces of cream sauce base
- 2 chicken stock concentrate
- 1 tablespoon Tuscan Heat Spice
Additional ingredients such as kosher salt, black pepper, cooking oil, and butter are required, but personal preferences may vary. The use of extra virgin olive oil is a preferred choice for this particular recipe.
Cookware Considerations
Using the right cookware can greatly enhance the cooking experience and help maintain consistent results. Stainless steel pots and pans, such as those from Farberware, are recommended as they provide reliable heat distribution and durability. Alternatives may compromise the desired cooking consistency and affect the overall quality of the dish.
Preparing the Dish
The Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe involves six simple steps to recreate the flavors of Tuscany. It's the perfect way to embrace your Italian heritage and enjoy a delicious meal on a Friday evening.
1. Prep: Set up your oven, fill a pot with salted water, and wash and dry your produce to ensure cleanliness and freshness.
2. Form your meatballs: Combine the ground beef, Panko bread crumbs, ketchup, garlic, and Tuscan Heat Spice to create flavorful meatballs.
3. Cook your meatballs: Brown the meatballs in a pan until they are cooked through.
4. Cook your pasta: Boil the spaghetti noodles in salted water until al dente.
5. Make the sauce: In a separate pan, combine the cream sauce base, chicken stock concentrate, lemon zest, and lemon juice to create a creamy and tangy sauce.
6. Finish and serve: Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, top with scallions, and serve with the meatballs.
Flavorful and Satisfying in More Ways Than One
This Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe is a delightful culinary adventure. It can be prepared quickly, with just 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of cooking time, as promised by the recipe. Though forming meatballs can be time-consuming, the end result is worth the effort. Using a cookie scoop can expedite the process and make it more efficient.
The cream base in this pasta dish adds a light and refreshing element, complemented by the zesty flavors of lemon. The scallions provide the perfect finishing touch, adding a bit of kick to elevate the dish. The combination of flavors creates a satisfying and elevated pasta experience..
Now, let's talk about the financials. If you want to try making those Spaghetti and Meatballs on your own, here's the breakdown of ingredient costs at Walmart: 4 Scallions ($0.88), 1 lemon ($0.58), 20 ounces of ground beef ($7.52), 1/2 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs ($1.12), 2 Tablespoons of Ketchup ($1.18), 2 cloves of garlic ($2.16), 12 ounces of spaghetti noodles($1.76), 8 ounces of cream sauce base ($2.17), 2 chicken stock concentrate ($6.78) and 1 tablespoon Tuscan Heat Spice ($2.98)
Total cost would be $27.13. Not completely terrible for a hearty, Tuscan-inspired pasta dish on a cold, December day.
Reviews and Recommendations
Personally, I would rate this meal a 9 out of 10. It was easy to prepare and cooked exactly as the recipe indicated. The lemon and scallions added a refreshing twist to the pasta, making it a delightful choice for a winter meal. The leftovers also held up well, as my husband enjoyed it for lunch the next day.
My brother-in-law, Shayne, rated this meal a 7 or 8. He found it satisfying and was able to save some for work the following day, enjoying it just as much. Even though my nephew didn't partake, there were plenty of meatballs and sauce to go around.
Living in in most of the states, where the weather can be quite chilly, this Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe has become a favorite. In colder temperatures, this dish provides the perfect balance of comfort and flavor. The scallions, in particular, add a fantastic touch to the pasta, making it a truly satisfying experience.
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