You will love these easy spaghetti and Italian meatball appetizers! They're the perfect pasta appetizers for Thanksgiving, Christmas, book club or game day parties.
You guys, let me tell you, these spaghetti and Italian meatball appetizers are a solid 10/10! Not only are they the perfect appetizer for any party or gathering, but they are super easy to throw together for any occasion.
Meatball Appetizers
I mean... is there anything more adorable than mini spaghetti and meatballs on a stick? The best thing about this recipe is how both adults and kids adore them! No matter where you serve these, I guarantee they will be gone in a flash.
If you love appetizers here are a few of our other fan favorites: Perfect Cheese Ball, Pomegranate Apple Salad, Veggie Tray Wreath, Pepper Jelly, Cold Italian Pasta Salad and Feta and Cranberry Pinwheels.
Because the recipe is made with the Italian Style pre-cooked meatballs, they are fast and easy to whip up, without sacrificing any flavor! My favorite ones to use are Italian Style Cooked Perfect Meatballs, but if you have extra time and want to go above and beyond, use our amazing homemade meatballs!
Cooked Perfect Meatballs use only the highest quality meats, real cheeses and savory herbs flame-broiled to perfection. Because of that, you can save yourself tons of time without anyone the wiser! Plus, it leaves you with leftover time to party prep!
Pasta Appetizers
These easy appetizers are about to become your permanent hosting solution! I adore the color palette of these bites for the Christmas season, but they work for parties and hosting year round! They are simple, delicious and definitely a crowd pleaser!
You ready for the easy recipe?
Spaghetti and Italian Meatball Appetizer Recipe
If you make this recipe and like it, we would love for you to leave us a positive comment and review! They mean so much to us.
Spaghetti and Meatball Appetizers
Video
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta
- ½ cup alfredo sauce
- ½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg beaten with fork
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 bag Italian Style Cooked Perfect Meatballs
- fresh basil to garnish
- fresh parmesan cheese to garnish
- long toothpicks
Instructions
- Cook your pasta al dente according to the directions on the box. Drain your pasta and immediately mix with ½ cup alfredo sauce, ¼ cup parmesan cheese and your beaten egg.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a mini muffin tin (24 holes).
- Fill each of the 24 holes with pasta mixture and use a fork to twirl pasta together. Press down with clean fingertips to create a nest. Make sure each hole is full with pasta. Repeat with another pan if you have excess pasta mixture.
- Bake for 15 for 20 minutes on the middle oven rack or until just browning. Remove nests to cool.
- While nests are baking heat the marinara sauce and meatballs until warmed through.
- Put a meatball on a toothpick and insert into the middle of each nest. Garnish with parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Well what do you think, will you give them a try? If you do, I'd love if you came back and left a review so other people can benefit too! Happy gathering friends!
xo, 
Cindy Eldridge
I have made these spaghetti meatball appetizer several times & each time they were a hit. I make a big batch of nests & freeze them. I can take as many nests out as I need depending on the size of the group. The nests are the most time consuming to make. The sauce & meatballs are the easy part to add to the premade nests. After assembling them I top with shredded mozzarella & pop in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees
Jessica
Such great feedback, thanks Cindy!
Kathy
These look, absolutely adorable. I was wondering if you could use homemade pasta with this as well?
Jessica
Absolutely!
Karen
I’m catering a friend’s Italian themed bridal shower and won’t have time to make everything at the last minute. Would the unfilled nests freeze well? And if so would you defrost in the fridge a day before needed?
Sarah
I really don't know! We haven't tried that. If it works for you, let us know!
Kirsten Block
could these be made a day ahead of time and reheated?
Jessica
Yes they can!
Denise Smith
Hey Jessica- what is the best way to reheat if prepared ahead?
Jessica
I'd probably just use the microwave so that the pasta doesn't get brittle in the oven. Or oven on a low heat.
Amy Ireland
When my seven year old son said he wanted to make a spaghetti appetizer for Thanksgiving, I thought he was insane, until I came across this recipe online. It was easy, quick and the end result was fantastic. These were a great hit with everyone and my son felt like a true chef since he was able to make these with very little assistance. I’m pretty sure he has found his signature dish. I wish I could attach a picture to show his masterpiece.
Sarah
Amy, thank you so much for sharing how much you all loved it! I'm so glad he was able to make this - we love the recipe too! :) If you want to you could email us a picture. prettyprovidence@gmail.com
Kristine Goodman
What oven temp. do you bake the spaghetti & meatball appetizers at?
Vivian
I made these for our annual Academy Awards Party. They were Super Easy, Super Quick and Super Delicious! The pre-made Turkey meatballs I purchased were so large that cut them in half before placing them on top of the angel hair nests — that way, it made them easy “one-bite” appetizers. What a hit they were! Originally I only planned on making 24, which became 48 when I halved the meatballs, but they were so Popular, I ended up making 96 by the end of the Oscars!! Easy peasy, and everyone went home with a smile and a full belly! Thank You!
Sarah
YAY! I'm so glad they were a hit! We never seem to make enough either, they go so fast! :)
Barbara Burgelin
I don't see a recipe for the marinara sauce. Is there a type that you buy ready-made?
Sarah
Our favorite is Prego, but you can use whatever brand you like!
Connie
NO way! This looks so cute and fun! I'd make this cupcake-size as a small lunch. Love it!
Corrina
What a great idea!! Lunch cupcake!
Michael Wurm Jr
This is one of the most creative appetizers I've seen! So cute and so well done! Love them!!
xo Michael
rachael Yerkes
These are just too fun! I love the little nests and those cooked perfect meatballs. Yum.
Jessica
Aren't they so cute! And yes they are delicious!
Michelle Novak
What temperature are they baked at?
Jessica
350 degrees! So sorry about that!
Jamielyn Nye
amazing!! These make the perfect appetizer!
Jessica
Thank you so much!
Michael Bradley
Jessica,
Can the nests be made a day ahead and refrigerated and then reheated with the meatballs?
Jessica
I've never done it, but I imagine that would work just fine! I do it all the time with my larger spaghetti pie!