If you loved Chef Boyardee’s spaghetti and meatballs as a kid, you’re going to love this homemade version even more. We’ve perfected this recipe to bring you the same nostalgic taste but with fresh, wholesome ingredients that make it even better. Plus, it’s gut-friendly, lactose-free, and gluten-free!
Chef Boyardee’s meatballs are small, tender beef meatballs simmered in a rich, slightly sweet tomato sauce. They have a soft texture and mild seasoning, making them kid-friendly and easy to enjoy. This recipe recreates that classic taste using fresh ingredients and simple techniques.
Stick around, and I’ll show you exactly how to make these tender, flavorful meatballs from scratch. Plus, I’ll share the best ways to serve them and a few tips to make them taste just like the real deal!
What so Special About Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe?
The Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe delivers a rich, comforting taste with a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and savory goodness. The meatballs are ultra-tender and juicy, infused with deep, meaty flavors and a hint of warmth from the honey-infused bone broth.
The sauce is smooth and velvety, with a tangy tomato base mellowed by creamy Vermont white cheddar, creating a luscious, slightly sweet finish. The soft pasta absorbs all the flavors, making each bite melt in your mouth. It is a nostalgic, cozy, and irresistibly satisfying dish that feels like a warm hug in every bite.
Ingredients for the Chef Boyardee Meatball
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe
Meatballs:
- ½ lb. Ground Beef
- ½ lb. Ground Chicken
- ½ cup Gluten-Free Panko
- ¾ cup Honey and Chicken Bone Broth (⅓ cup broth + 4 tbsp honey)
Sauce:
- 24 oz Tomato Sauce of Choice
- Pinch of Salt
- ¾ cup Chicken Bone Broth
- 1 cup Lactose-Free Milk
- ½ cup Vermont White Cheddar (Aged 6 months or longer)
For Pasta:
- 12 oz Gluten-Free Spaghetti
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp Salt
Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer (or oven)
- Large pot
- Medium saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
How to Make Chef Boyardee Meatball
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe at home
1. Prepare Meatballs: Start by combining ground beef, ground chicken, gluten-free panko, and honey-infused bone broth in a bowl. Mix everything thoroughly until they are fully incorporated. Once the mixture is well combined, roll it into small meatballs. You can make them as small, medium, or large as you prefer just like the classic Chef Boyardee style. Next, place the meatballs in an air fryer at 350°F for 10 minutes, or if you prefer baking, cook them in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gluten-free spaghetti and cook it slightly longer than usual to achieve the extra-soft texture that mimics Chef Boyardee’s signature pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta, making sure to reserve some of the pasta water. This will help thicken the sauce later for a rich, velvety finish.
3. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth, then let it simmer over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Once the sauce is heated through, add lactose-free milk and shredded Vermont white cheddar. Stir continuously until the cheese fully melts, and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Season with a pinch of salt, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
4. Combine Everything: Transfer the cooked meatballs into the simmering sauce, allowing them to soak up all the delicious flavors for about three minutes. Next, add the cooked spaghetti and a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a silky, well-coated texture. Stir everything together, letting the flavors med for another two minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Chef Boyardee-inspired dish!
Food Pairings for Chef Boyardee Meatball
When serving up your Chef Boyardee Meatball, here are Food Pairings that elevate the experience:
1. Garlic Bread: Buttery, crispy bread is the ultimate companion to soak up all that savory sauce and add the perfect crunch alongside the tender meatballs.
2. Caesar Salad: A fresh, crisp Caesar salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, hearty flavors of the meatballs and sauce, balancing each bite.
3. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli: A healthy and cheesy addition that pairs beautifully with the richness of the Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe, adding a bit of greenery with a delicious twist.
4. Mozzarella Sticks: These golden, gooey bites make for the perfect appetizer before diving into your meatball-filled pasta dish, ensuring every bite is a delight.
5. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: If you’re opting to skip the pasta, creamy garlic mashed potatoes make an equally comforting base for the juicy meatballs and sauce.
6. Caprese Salad: Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella create a light, flavorful salad that complements the hearty meatballs while keeping the meal balanced.
7. Fried Zucchini: A crunchy side, like the Cheesecake Factory Fried Zucchini Recipe, offers a wonderful contrast to the soft texture of the meatballs and pasta, making it a perfect match.
8. Grilled Chicken: Adding some lean grilled chicken provides an extra boost of protein without overshadowing the flavors of the Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
9. Balsamic Roasted Vegetables: The tangy, sweet-sour notes of balsamic roasted vegetables offer a zesty contrast to the richness of the tomato-based sauce and meatballs.
10. Bruschetta: Fresh, vibrant bruschetta atop toasted bread makes a refreshing and flavorful start to your meal, perfectly complementing the heartiness of the Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
Pro Tips for Perfecting This Chef Boyardee Meatball
1. Use freshly ground meat: Freshly ground beef and chicken elevate the texture and flavor, making your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe even more irresistible.
2. Do not overmix the meatballs: Overworking the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Be gentle when combining the ingredients for the best texture.
3. Use a mix of beef and chicken: This combination provides the perfect balance of rich beef flavor and the lean tenderness of chicken, resulting in juicy meatballs.
4. Let the sauce simmer: The longer the sauce simmers, the more depth of flavor it develops, making it the perfect complement to your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
5. Overcook the pasta slightly: For that classic, soft texture reminiscent of Chef Boyardee, allow the pasta to cook just a bit longer than usual.
6. Save pasta water: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water; it thickens the sauce naturally, creating a rich, silky texture that coats the meatballs perfectly.
7. Do not add milk too early: Add milk to the sauce once it’s heated properly to avoid curdling and achieve a creamy consistency.
8. Air-fry the meatballs: Air frying your meatballs reduces grease, locking in flavor and creating a crispy exterior while keeping them juicy on the inside.
9. Grate cheese fresh: Grating cheese fresh ensures it melts smoothly into the sauce without any anti-caking agents affecting its texture, adding to the creaminess of your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
10. Taste as you go: Always taste your sauce and meatball mixture as you cook and adjust the seasoning to your preference for the perfect flavor balance.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers Chef Boyardee Meatball Properly?
To store Leftovers Chef Boyardee Meatball, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy. If you want to store the dish for a longer period, you can freeze the sauce and meatballs separately for up to 2 months. Just be sure to thaw them overnight in the fridge before reheating for a quick, delicious meal.
Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare Meatballs: Start by combining ground beef, ground chicken, gluten-free panko, and honey-infused bone broth in a bowl. Mix everything thoroughly until they are fully incorporated. Once the mixture is well combined, roll it into small meatballs. You can make them as small, medium, or large as you prefer just like the classic Chef Boyardee style. Next, place the meatballs in an air fryer at 350°F for 10 minutes, or if you prefer baking, cook them in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gluten-free spaghetti and cook it slightly longer than usual to achieve the extra-soft texture that mimics Chef Boyardee’s signature pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta, making sure to reserve some of the pasta water. This will help thicken the sauce later for a rich, velvety finish.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth, then let it simmer over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Once the sauce is heated through, add lactose-free milk and shredded Vermont white cheddar. Stir continuously until the cheese fully melts, and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Season with a pinch of salt, then taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
- Combine Everything: Transfer the cooked meatballs into the simmering sauce, allowing them to soak up all the delicious flavors for about three minutes. Next, add the cooked spaghetti and a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a silky, well-coated texture. Stir everything together, letting the flavors med for another two minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Chef Boyardee-inspired dish!
Video
Notes
- Use freshly ground meat: Freshly ground beef and chicken elevate the texture and flavor, making your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe even more irresistible.
- Do not overmix the meatballs: Overworking the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs. Be gentle when combining the ingredients for the best texture.
- Use a mix of beef and chicken: This combination provides the perfect balance of rich beef flavor and the lean tenderness of chicken, resulting in juicy meatballs.
- Let the sauce simmer: The longer the sauce simmers, the more depth of flavor it develops, making it the perfect complement to your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
- Overcook the pasta slightly: For that classic, soft texture reminiscent of Chef Boyardee, allow the pasta to cook just a bit longer than usual.
- Save pasta water: Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water; it thickens the sauce naturally, creating a rich, silky texture that coats the meatballs perfectly.
- Do not add milk too early: Add milk to the sauce once it’s heated properly to avoid curdling and achieve a creamy consistency.
- Air-fry the meatballs: Air frying your meatballs reduces grease, locking in flavor and creating a crispy exterior while keeping them juicy on the inside.
- Grate cheese fresh: Grating cheese fresh ensures it melts smoothly into the sauce without any anti-caking agents affecting its texture, adding to the creaminess of your Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe.
- Taste as you go: Always taste your sauce and meatball mixture as you cook and adjust the seasoning to your preference for the perfect flavor balance.
Common Queries on This Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe that people often ask.
1. What is Chef Boyardee sauce made of?
Chef Boyardee’s sauce is a blend of tomato puree, water, salt, spices, and sometimes cheese for creaminess.
2. What are the ingredients in Spaghettios with meatballs?
Spaghettios with meatballs contain enriched pasta, tomato sauce, beef, Chicken, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
3. Why is Chef Boyardee spaghetti so good?
It is soft, slightly sweet, and nostalgic comfort food favorite for many.
4. What seasonings should I add to Chef Boyardee?
A pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil enhance the flavor.
5. Can I make this recipe with regular pasta?
Yes! Use any pasta you like but slightly overcook it for authenticity.
6. Is this recipe kind-friendly?
Absolutely! The mild, slightly sweet sauce makes it a hit with kids.
7. Can I use almond milk instead of lactose-free milk?
Yes, but it will not be as creamy. A lactose-free dairy option works best.
8. How do I thicken the sauce without cheese?
Use blended cooked carrots or a cornstarch slurry.
9. Can I put the meatballs in a pan instead of an air fryer?
Yes, pan-fry them over medium heat until golden brown.
10. How do I keep meatballs from falling apart?
Make sure to use enough binding ingredients (panko + broth) and do not overwork the mixture.
This Chef Boyardee Meatball Recipe is the perfect way to relive childhood memories with better, fresher ingredients. The meatballs are juicy, the sauce is creamy, and the flavor is unbelievably close to the classic canned version but better!
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