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Mini Spaghetti and Meatball Appetizers – Best Appetizer Recipes

Sometimes the best bites come in small packages. These mini spaghetti and meatball appetizers prove that comfort food doesn’t need to arrive in a giant bowl to steal the show. Imagine a perfectly twirled nest of pasta, topped with a tiny but mighty meatball, held together with a toothpick like it’s dressed up for a party. Cute? Yes. Delicious? Absolutely. I first served these at a family birthday, and let me tell you—people went for them faster than the cake. There’s something about having a bite-sized version of a classic spaghetti meatball recipe that makes everyone smile. They’re playful, they’re neat, and they let you have your pasta fix without committing to a full plate. If you’ve been hunting for meatball appetizer recipes that double as conversation starters, this is it. They’re small, they’re hearty, and they fit right into Party Appetizer Recipes that people keep asking me to repeat. Honestly, they’ve earned a spot on my list of Favorite Recipes, and I’ll bet they’ll land on yours too. Perfect appetizer recipes for party nights, movie nights, or any night you just want to have fun with food.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: appetizer recipes, appetizer recipes for party, Favorite Recipes, meatball appetizer recipes, Party Appetizer Recipes, spaghetti meatball recipe
Servings: 12 pieces
Author: Camila

Ingredients

  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • Olive oil for cooking
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Toothpicks for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, drain well, and set aside.
  3. In a bowl, mix together the beef, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until combined.
  4. Shape into small bite-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
  5. Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes until cooked through.
  6. Warm the marinara sauce in a pan and toss the baked meatballs gently to coat.
  7. Twirl small nests of spaghetti onto a greased mini muffin tin or parchment-lined tray.
  8. Place one saucy meatball on top of each spaghetti nest and secure with a toothpick.
  9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.