Spaghettini and Meatballs with a Jamaican Twist

JERK TAVERNOctober 26, 2025

There’s something comforting about a plate of spaghetti and meatballs — the kind that instantly takes you back to Sunday dinners, laughter in the kitchen, and the smell of herbs simmering in a rich sauce. But at Jerk Tavern, we had to give this Italian classic our own island spin. So, we made Spaghettini and Meatballs with a Jamaican twist — tender, juicy meatballs seasoned with Jamaican green seasoning and garlic herb blend, served over perfectly cooked spaghettini and a bold tomato sauce that hugs every strand.

And here’s the best part — we ground our own meat using the AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric, blending sirloin and chuck roast for the perfect balance of flavor and juiciness. Trust us, once you try homemade ground beef, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

We’ve made meatballs a hundred different ways, but this one stands out every single time. The combination of sirloin and chuck roast gives you the ultimate flavor combo — sirloin keeps it lean and beefy, while chuck adds that rich, melt-in-your-mouth juiciness.

Then we season the meat the Jamaican way — with homemade green seasoning (fresh herbs, scallion, thyme, garlic, and pepper) and garlic herb seasoning to layer the flavor. These meatballs are tender, flavorful, and beautifully browned on the outside, while staying moist inside.

Pair that with silky spaghettini and a slow-simmered tomato sauce, and you’ve got a plate of comfort that bridges Italy and Jamaica in the most delicious way possible.

Grinding Your Own Meat — Game Changer!

Before we jump into the recipe, let’s talk about why we grind our own beef.

We’ve always been big on freshness and control — knowing exactly what’s going into our food. By grinding our own sirloin and chuck roast using the AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric, we get to choose our cuts, balance the fat content, and avoid preservatives. The texture is noticeably better — the meatballs hold together perfectly yet remain soft and juicy inside.

The AAOBOSI grinder made the process super easy. It’s powerful, simple to assemble, and it handled both cuts like a pro. Within minutes, we had beautifully ground beef ready to season up with our island flavors.

If you’ve been thinking about grinding your own meat, this is your sign. You can check out the AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric here on Amazon — it’s been one of our favorite kitchen upgrades.

Ingredients for Jamaican Style Spaghetti & Meatballs

Sirloin & Chuck Roast- We use a mix of sirloin and chuck roast for the perfect texture and flavor balance. Sirloin keeps the meatballs lean and beefy, while chuck roast brings the richness and fat that make them tender and juicy. Grinding them fresh with the AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric ensures unbeatable freshness and a perfect blend.

Jamaican Green Seasoning– This is where the magic happens. Jamaican green seasoning — made from scallion, thyme, garlic, onion, and fresh herbs — infuses the meatballs with deep, aromatic island flavor. It’s the heart of our Jamaican twist and gives every bite that home-cooked Caribbean warmth.

Garlic Herb Seasoning- Adds a beautiful herby flavor that complements the green seasoning. It brings balance, tying together the bold Jamaican spices and the savory Italian sauce.

Onion & Garlic- These two are the foundation of flavor. They add moisture to the meatballs and enhance the savory notes in both the meat and the sauce.Egg- Acts as a binder to hold the meat mixture together, keeping the meatballs tender without falling apart during cooking.

Breadcrumbs- Give the meatballs structure and softness. They absorb juices and fat as the meatballs cook, keeping the texture light instead of dense.

Parmesan Cheese- Adds richness and umami depth — a little bit of salty, nutty flavor that makes the meatballs extra savory and pairs beautifully with the tomato sauce.

Salt & Black Pepper- Essential to bring out the full flavor of the meat and seasoning. Salt enhances natural beef flavor, while pepper adds warmth and depth.

Crushed Tomatoes & Tomato Paste- Form the base of your sauce. Crushed tomatoes create body and richness, while tomato paste adds concentrated flavor and helps the sauce cling perfectly to the spaghettini.

Basil & Oregano- Classic Italian herbs that complement the Jamaican flavors — adding freshness and depth to the sauce.

Olive Oil- Used to sear the meatballs and sauté the aromatics for the sauce. It adds richness and helps release the flavors of the herbs and spices.

Sugar- A touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, giving your sauce a smoother, more rounded taste.

Parsley or Basil (Garnish)- Fresh herbs at the end brighten up the dish, adding color and a hint of freshness to every bite.

Spaghettini- Slightly thinner than spaghetti, spaghettini holds onto the sauce beautifully and creates the perfect forkful with each bite — delicate, silky, and satisfying.

How to Make Jamaican-Style Spaghettini and Meatballs

Grind Your Meat

Start with cold cubes of sirloin and chuck roast. Feed them through your AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric using the medium plate. The combination gives a perfect ratio of lean-to-fat — juicy yet not greasy.

Once ground, lightly mix the meat with your hands. Don’t overwork it; you want it tender.

Season the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, Jamaican green seasoning, garlic herb seasoning, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

Mix until just combined. Roll into golf ball-sized meatballs. The mixture should hold together without feeling dry.

Sear the Meatballs

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet. Sear the meatballs on all sides until browned — this locks in flavor. You can also bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 18–22 minutes if you prefer less oil.

Set them aside while you make your sauce.

Make the Sauce

In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil, then sauté onion until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, green seasoning, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.

Simmer the sauce for about 15–20 minutes. Add your meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer together for another 10–15 minutes so all the flavors marry beautifully.

Cook the Spaghettini

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghettini until al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Bring It All Together

Add pasta to pot to soak up some of that sauce if you want. If not skip this step and plate.

Plate your spaghettini first, then spoon the meatballs and sauce on top. Garnish with fresh parsley, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and if you’re like us — a drizzle of Jamaican pepper sauce for a fiery twist.

Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Meatballs

Use fresh herbs in your green seasoning — scallion, thyme, and parsley give brightness.
Don’t overmix the meat or it’ll get tough.
Let them rest after searing — it keeps the juices inside.
Simmer gently in the sauce; don’t boil or they’ll break apart.
Freshly ground beef makes the difference. You’ll taste the upgrade.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is rich, hearty, and full of love — perfect for date nights, family dinners, or Sabbath meals. Serve it with:

Garlic bread or Jamaican hard dough bread for dipping
A crisp green salad
A glass of red wine or a sorrel drink
Extra Parmesan on the side

And if you have leftovers, these meatballs taste even better the next day — they soak up the sauce beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought ground beef?

Yes, but freshly ground beef from sirloin and chuck will give you much better texture and flavor.

What can I use instead of breadcrumbs?

You can use crushed crackers or oats for a gluten-free version.

Can I freeze the meatballs?

Absolutely! You can freeze them raw (before cooking) or after cooking. Just thaw and reheat in sauce.

What’s the difference between spaghetti and spaghettini?

Spaghettini is slightly thinner than traditional spaghetti, which helps it absorb the sauce more evenly — perfect for this recipe.

Why Jamaican Green Seasoning Changes Everything

If you’ve never tried green seasoning, it’s the soul of many Jamaican dishes. It’s a blend of fresh herbs, garlic, onion, scallion, thyme, pimento, and peppers — everything that makes our island cooking so vibrant. When you add it to meatballs, it brings life, aroma, and flavor that no store-bought mix can touch.

The AAOBOSI Meat Grinder — Our Honest Thoughts

The AAOBOSI Meat Grinder Electric has become a staple in our kitchen. It’s fast, powerful, and easy to clean. The texture it produces is perfect for dishes like this — fine enough for tender meatballs but still with a nice bite.

We love that we can control what goes into our food — no fillers, no mystery ingredients, just quality meat seasoned the way we like it.

If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your kitchen gear, this grinder is worth it. You can grab it here on Amazon and experience the difference yourself.

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Wisdom

The Gospel is the most powerful thing that we as believers stand on. We should not be ashamed of it as Paul says in Romans 1:16. It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. When we get baptized, we must try our best to crucify our flesh and start to live by faith in Jesus our Lord, who died for us.

We die like him when we go under the water and come up new, resurrected, washed by his blood, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. We become His temple, we must take care of our bodies and try our best not to practice sin for He is holy and the Spirit inside of us Adopted us as His children.

All of us must no longer live in this world for ourselves as we used to. We live for Him. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross. He took the penalty for sin in his body and nailed it to the cross, buried it in the ground and rose unto life.

Anyone who believes in him, sins will be covered, we have forgiveness through Him and him alone. There is no other way we can be saved for this world is condemned and all those who refuse to believe are condemned to be judged by the things we have done in life.

We are only saved by the Grace of God through the faith that we have in his Son. So the Just shall live by faith in Him, through Him, for Him.