Lovers' Heart-Shaped Spaghetti Delight
Indulge in a culinary romance with this whimsical Lovers' Heart-Shaped Spaghetti Delight! This delightful giant spaghetti and meatball cake is not just a feast for the taste buds, but also a beautiful presentation that will melt your sweetheart's heart. Featuring a savory blend of tender meatballs nestled atop a creamy spaghetti base, infused with rich marinara sauce and garnished with fresh parsley, every slice is a celebration of love. Perfect for date nights, anniversaries, or a sweet surprise, this recipe combines hearty flavors with a playful presentation. Plus, it ensures there's a generous amount of leftover wine to toast to your love while you enjoy an evening of deliciousness together. Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, from which Food.com may earn a commission. The presence of these links does not imply an endorsement of any product or service. Price and stock may change after publication date.
N/A
Servings
625
Calories
23
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shallots
2 (finely diced)
Garlic cloves
2 (finely minced)
Fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Ground beef
1 lb (raw)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (none)
Whole milk
1/4 cup (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Sriracha sauce
to cover hearts (none)
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (for greasing)
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Yellow onion
1 (chopped)
Red wine
750 ml (for cooking and pairing)
Marinara sauce
5 cups (for mixing and topping)
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Spaghetti noodles
16 ounces (cooked al dente and drained)
Eggs
3 (beaten)
Garlic and cream cheese with herbs
8 ounces (softened)
Shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (for topping)
Alfredo sauce
1/4 cup (warmed for topping)
Chopped parsley
for garnish (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a 24-count silicone heart baking mold onto a sheet tray to catch drips.
2
In a food processor, combine shallots, garlic, parsley, and egg. Pulse until finely diced. Then, add ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, pulsing until just combined.
3
Press the meat mixture into the heart mold, filling to the tops of the cavities. Refrigerate while you prepare the spaghetti pie.
4
Grease the inside of a 9.5-inch heart springform pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Wrap the bottom and sides in foil and place on a sheet tray.
5
In a pot over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté onions with a pinch of salt and pepper until softened (about 10 minutes). Add 1/4 cup of red wine, simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced, then stir in marinara sauce and garlic powder to simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
6
Reserve 1 cup of sauce and set aside. Toss cooked spaghetti into the pot with the remaining sauce, making sure it is evenly coated.
7
Incorporate beaten eggs into the spaghetti mixture, tossing well to combine. Pack the spaghetti mixture tightly into the prepared heart springform pan, creating a solid base.
8
Heat the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until softened and smooth. Spread the cream cheese evenly over the spaghetti layer.
9
Pour reserved marinara sauce on top, leaving a small border of cream cheese visible. Finish with shredded mozzarella on top. Bake for 40 minutes.
10
After 10 minutes of baking, place the meatballs in the oven and bake for another 30 minutes.
11
Once baking is done, let the spaghetti pie rest before garnishing the meatballs. Carefully unmold the meatballs and decorate with Sriracha, creating heart shapes on some.
12
Remove the collar of the springform pan and transfer the spaghetti pie to a serving platter. Warm the alfredo sauce in the microwave and spread it on top of the pie, again leaving a small border of marinara sauce.
13
Garnish with chopped parsley and place some heart-shaped meatballs on the alfredo section. Serve the remaining meatballs alongside and open a bottle of wine to toast your love!
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
50g
Carbs
37.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lovers' Heart-Shaped Spaghetti Delight?
It is a whimsical giant spaghetti and meatball cake shaped like a heart, featuring a cream cheese-infused spaghetti base, savory meatballs, and a rich marinara sauce.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long should the spaghetti pie bake in total?
The spaghetti pie should be baked for a total of 40 minutes.
When should the meatballs be added to the oven?
The meatballs should be placed in the oven after the spaghetti pie has already been baking for 10 minutes, allowing them to bake for 30 minutes.
What type of pan is used to shape the spaghetti base?
A 9.5-inch heart-shaped springform pan is used for the spaghetti pie.
What kind of mold is used for the meatballs?
A 24-count silicone heart baking mold is used to create heart-shaped meatballs.
What are the ingredients for the meatball mixture?
The meatball mixture consists of ground beef, shallots, garlic, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
How is the red wine used in this recipe?
One-quarter cup of red wine is used to simmer and reduce in the marinara sauce, while the rest of the bottle is intended for pairing with the meal.
How do you bind the spaghetti so it holds its shape?
Three beaten eggs are incorporated into the spaghetti and sauce mixture to help the pie set and hold its shape.
What type of cream cheese is used in the middle layer?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of softened garlic and herb cream cheese.
How do you prevent the springform pan from leaking?
The pan should be greased, lined with parchment paper, wrapped in foil on the bottom and sides, and placed on a sheet tray to catch any drips.
How do you soften the cream cheese for spreading?
Heat the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until it is smooth and easy to spread.
What is the final topping added before baking?
One-half cup of shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top of the marinara layer before the pie goes into the oven.
What is the role of Sriracha in this dish?
Sriracha is used to decorate the baked meatballs, specifically to draw heart shapes on them for a romantic presentation.
How is the Alfredo sauce used as a garnish?
Warmed Alfredo sauce is spread on top of the finished pie, leaving a small border of the red marinara sauce visible.
What are the nutritional calories for this recipe?
The recipe contains approximately 625 calories per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are approximately 37.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This dish contains approximately 30 grams of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are approximately 50 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How should the spaghetti noodles be cooked?
The 16 ounces of spaghetti should be cooked al dente and drained before being mixed with the sauce.
What type of breadcrumbs are used for the meatballs?
The recipe specifies using Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
What aromatics are used in the meatball mixture?
Shallots, garlic, and fresh parsley are pulsed in a food processor to create the aromatic base for the meatballs.
How is the marinara sauce prepared for the spaghetti?
It is simmered with sautéed onions, red wine, and garlic powder for enhanced flavor.
Should the meatballs be refrigerated before baking?
Yes, once the meat mixture is pressed into the heart mold, it should be refrigerated while the spaghetti pie is being prepared.
What are the recommended tags for this recipe?
Key tags include romantic dinner, spaghetti cake, meatballs, Valentine's Day, and heart-shaped.
Is it necessary to use a food processor?
The recipe suggests using one to finely dice the shallots, garlic, and parsley, and to combine the meat mixture efficiently.
How do you finish the presentation on the serving platter?
Transfer the pie to a platter, top with warmed Alfredo sauce, garnish with chopped parsley, and arrange heart-shaped meatballs on top.
Can I use any type of onion for the sauce?
The recipe specifically calls for one chopped yellow onion.
What should I do with the extra meatballs?
While some meatballs go on top of the pie, the remaining meatballs should be served alongside the dish.
Is this dish suitable for an anniversary?
Yes, it is designed as a celebration of love, making it perfect for anniversaries, date nights, or special surprises.