Calabrian Chili Spicy Pappardelle With Meatballs

Jun 14

Written By Ginna

⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes • 🍳 Cook Time: 20 minutes

This is one of those Trader Joe’s dinners that barely feels like cooking but somehow still tastes like something you ordered at a restaurant. The Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce has a creamy tomato base with a little heat to it, and once it coats the pappardelle it turns into a really solid weeknight pasta situation.

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*Pappardelle tossed in spicy Calabrian chili sauce with crispy chicken meatballs and parmesan.*

I started making this because I wanted something easy that still felt a little different from my normal red sauce pasta rotation. The chicken meatballs crisp up nicely in the air fryer, and the wide noodles hold onto the sauce really well. Add a pile of shredded parmesan on top and dinner is done.

The sauce is definitely the thing that makes this recipe work. It has a subtle smoky heat without being overpowering, and it tastes way more developed than most jarred sauces I have tried. I usually grab an extra jar whenever I am at Trader Joe’s because it is one of those products I keep coming back to.

I like using the Trader Joe’s chicken meatballs here because they cook quickly in the air fryer and get browned around the edges without drying out. You can slice them or leave them whole depending on the vibe you want.

This is also a great lazy dinner to keep in your back pocket for busy nights. Everything comes together in about 20 minutes, and the leftovers reheat well the next day.

Ingredients

🍽️ Servings: 4 • 🔥 Calories/Serving: 640 • 💪 Protein/Serving: 28g

1 package (16 ounces) Trader Joe’s pappardelle pasta
1 jar Trader Joe’s Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce
1 package (12 ounces) Trader Joe’s chicken meatballs
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Steps

Step 1

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Add the chicken meatballs to the basket and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until browned and heated through.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook the pappardelle according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 3

While the pasta cooks, pour the Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce into a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Cook until warmed through.

Step 4

Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce.

Toss until coated. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 5

Add the meatballs over the pasta and top with shredded parmesan and black pepper and red pepper flakes before serving.

Make it your own!

🌶️ Turn Up The Heat
Add red pepper flakes or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste if you want it spicier.
🥬 Add Spinach
Toss a few handfuls of spinach into the sauce while it heats. It wilts down quickly and makes the pasta feel a little more balanced.
🧄 Add Garlic
Sauté minced garlic in olive oil before adding the sauce if you want a little more depth.
🍝 Swap The Pasta
This also works really well with rigatoni or linguine if your Trader Joe’s is out of pappardelle.