If comfort food has a love language, it's a warm, generous bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. It’s the meal that brings everyone to the table, filled with savory, nostalgic flavor. Now, imagine elevating that classic dish by packing the rich tomato sauce with powerful nutrients, ready to go straight from your pantry shelf.

This recipe harnesses the genius of our Powdered Vitamin Tomato, which comes with a hint of basil and oregano already in the powder, delivering bright, zesty flavor in every spoonful. Whether you’re a busy parent navigating a hectic weeknight or a dedicated prepper stocking up for the long term, this dish delivers ease, nutrition, and timeless comfort all at once.

The Pantry-Powered Advantage

This isn't just a convenient recipe; it's a smarter way to make a classic. The magic lies in a few key pantry ingredients:

• Nutrient-Dense Tomato Sauce: Our Powdered Vitamin Tomato provides a concentrated form of vitamin C, A, lycopene, and other key micronutrients, making it a nutrient-dense and long-shelf-life staple for any pantry or emergency supply. The included hint of basil, oregano, and thyme streamlines the flavor and reduces your ingredient count.

• Fail-Proof Binders: Using Powdered Vitamin Eggs and Powdered Vitamin Milk means you can make perfectly bound, tender meatballs without a last-minute trip to the store for fresh dairy or eggs.

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Spaghetti & Meatballs with Vitamin-Rich Marinara

Prep Time: ~25 minutes Cook Time: ~35 minutes Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

For the Vitamin-Rich Marinara Sauce:

• 1 cup Powdered Vitamin Tomato

• 1 ½ cups cold water

• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

For the Beef Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 2 Tbsp Powdered Vitamin Eggs, mixed with 2 Tbsp water

• 2 Tbsp rehydrated Powdered Vitamin Milk

• ½ cup breadcrumbs or panko

• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Olive oil for browning

For Serving:

• 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta

• Grated Parmesan and fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tomato Base: In a small bowl, combine the Powdered Vitamin Tomato with 1 ½ cups of cold water. Mix thoroughly. Add more water if you want a thinner consistency.

2. Simmer the Marinara: In a medium saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in your tomato base, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavor becomes bright and rich.

3. Form the Meatballs: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef, rehydrated egg and milk, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overwork the mixture. Form into about 18 medium meatballs.

4. Cook the Meatballs: You have two options:

• Pan-Sear & Bake: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer them to a baking sheet and finish in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through.

• Bake Only: Place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden and cooked through (an internal temp of 160°F).

5. Bring It All Together: Cook your pasta in salted, boiling water until al dente, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Add the cooked meatballs to the simmering marinara sauce and let them bubble together for 5 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a silky consistency.

6. Serve: Plate the spaghetti and ladle the sauce and meatballs over the top. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley.

 

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Tips & Variations

• Prep for the Future: This recipe is ideal for meal prep. Make a double batch of the meatballs and sauce and freeze them in quart-sized bags for quick, satisfying meals down the road.

• Boost the Veggies: For an easy additional nutrient boost, add our Freeze Dried Mixed Vegetables into the sauce while it simmers.

• Make it Dairy-Free: Skip the Vitamin Milk and Parmesan cheese and use a fresh egg instead of Vitamin Eggs to make this recipe dairy-free.

The Final Take: Comfort, Nutrition, and Resourcefulness

This recipe is more than just a meal—it’s a story of comfort and smart preparation. By using pantry-ready stars like our Powdered Vitamin Tomato, Powdered Vitamin Eggs, and Powdered Vitamin Milk, you turn a familiar favorite into a resourceful, nutrient-rich, and deeply satisfying dish. Whether you're planning for a busy weeknight or building a long-term food supply, this pantry-perfect Spaghetti and Meatballs brings flavor and peace of mind to your table.