With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, my mind is on all things hearts, red, and pink! This heart spaghetti is cooked to al dente perfection and tossed in a rich, aromatic sauce made from ripe tomatoes, fresh veggies, and a blend of Italian herbs. This heart shaped pasta recipe is fun to serve on Valentine’s Day. But while it is a perfect Valentine’s Day pasta, it is also perfect for special occasions year-round, such as at home anniversary dinners or special date nights. Therefore, I’m calling it date night spaghetti!
Garnished with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, the dish is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that delights the palate.
Heart Shaped Spaghetti is Made with Traditional Spaghetti Noodles
Note that our heart spaghetti recipe uses traditional spaghetti noodles which are then folded into a heart shape – rather than the novelty heart-shaped pasta noodles that you can sometimes find this time of year.
By the way, if that is more your vibe, Walmart is selling the cutest heart-shaped pasta from Barilla. Last year, Trader’s Joe’s heart-shaped ravioli made people swoon all over the U.S. I love to use those limited-edition holiday-shaped pasta noodles, myself. However, once you are outside of a holiday window, it is difficult to find such noodles. That is the great thing about this date night spaghetti recipe – it uses regular spaghetti noodles!
Why We Love Date Night Spaghetti
We love heart spaghetti for its charming appearance and the ability to prepare and present a romantic pasta at home. Whether you are needing romantic spaghetti to use as a general date night spaghetti, want to prepare a Valentine’s pasta, or are considering some at home anniversary dinner ideas, this pasta will work for you!
Ingredients for Date Night Spaghetti
- 4-5 ounces of spaghetti
- 1 cup ground beef (Of course, you can always substitute ground turkey, or even use shredded chicken, if you wish.)
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/2 white onion
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons. tomato paste
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1-2 cloves of garlic
- 3 tablespoons of parsley
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
Heart pasta adds a touch of love to the table with its charming heart shape bathed in a savory tomato sauce, shaped into a heart.
Storage, Advance Prep, and Reheating Instructions
- Store leftover heart spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent the absorption of other odors from the fridge.
- To prepare heart spaghetti in advance, you can cook make the sauce separately. Store it in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce on the stovetop and cook the noodles according to package instructions, combining them just before serving for the freshest taste.
- For reheating, gently warm the heart spaghetti in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until evenly heated. Alternatively, you can use a microwave, covering the container with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Reheat in short intervals, stirring in between until the desired temperature is reached.
Ingredient Addition Ideas for Date Night Spaghetti
Finish your heart spaghetti with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or a drizzle of olive oil for a luxurious touch. The richness of the cheese complements the dish beautifully.
Consider incorporating sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or cherry tomatoes to add both nutrition and vibrant colors to your heart spaghetti. I tried making spaghetti Bolognese with shredded carrots for the first time shortly after I graduated college and was on my own. I fell in love! The carrots add such a layer to the sauce, and I am still adding them to this day to my sauce, as you can see. Sneak in your favorite vegetables to customize your sauce to how you like it.
Twisting Spaghetti Noodles for Heart Spaghetti
I do not like to cook my spaghetti until right close to serving time. This is because the spaghetti will get cold and possibly dried out if I have it out of its water for too long. There will be a little bit of time involved for twisting the spaghetti noodles into the heart shape. I prepare my meat sauce first and then start the noodles.
My preference is to boil 16 ounces of spaghetti. If I am only cooking for two – since this is often for a romantic meal, then I simply have leftover noodles for another day. This recipe calls for only 8 ounces of spaghetti.
Once I have drained and rinsed the cook spaghetti, I drizzle it with a bit of olive oil. Then, using my cooking gloves, I grab one handful of noodles and twist it along the edge of a dinner plate. (If you attempt to use your bare hands, you might get burned!) Then, I grab another handful of noodles of similar size and do the same, making sure the noodles overlap and touch at the top of the “heart” and again in a point at the bottom. (See bottom right of the photo below.)
Once my meat sauce is ready, I simply ladle a few spoonfuls of sauce right into the middle of the plate – allowing the noodles to create a sort of nest.
Substitutions and Variations for Valentine’s Day Pasta
- Go for gluten-free pasta if you or your guests have dietary restrictions. Various gluten-free pasta options are available, such as those made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour.
- For those who enjoy a bit of heat, incorporate spices like chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot pepper flakes into the sauce to give your heart spaghetti a spicy kick.
- Give your dish a Mediterranean twist by adding olives, capers, and artichoke hearts to the sauce, providing a burst of briny and tangy flavors.
- Opt for whole grain or whole wheat pasta for added nutritional value and a nuttier flavor profile in your heart spaghetti.
- Switch up the traditional tomato sauce with a vibrant pesto sauce made from basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil for a fresh and aromatic twist.
- Experiment with various toppings such as sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, or toasted pine nuts to add texture and complexity to your heart spaghetti.
Really, I think you can make multiple substitutions and still come out with a great date night spaghetti – so long as you keep the heart shape to the pasta!
Date Night Spaghetti in Heart Shape
Ingredients
- 8 oz Spaghetti
- ¾ lb Ground beef
- ¾ cup Carrot shredded
- ½ cup Onion diced
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 5 tbsp Tomato paste
- ¾ cup Tomato puree
- 1½ cup Chicken broth or water
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 2 Garlic cloves minced; or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp Parsley fresh; divided
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 2 Thyme sprigs or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 cups Water
Instructions
- Peel and dice the onion and peel and shred the carrot (if necessary).
- In a medium skillet, add olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Add the vegetables and saute until translucent.
- Remove the veggies and add the meat, cooking until ground beef is browned. Drain and return to the skillet, along with the sauteed veggies.
- Pour the tomato paste, tomato puree and chicken broth (or water) into the pan. Add salt and spices. (Reserve one tablespoon of parsley for garnish.) Stir and simmer until the sauce is thick.
- In a large pot, place the bay leaf and minced garlic. Heat the garlic over medium heat. Pour in the water and bring to a boil, increasing heat as necessary. Add the spaghetti. Cook for 12 minutes.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti in a colander. Drizzle with olive oil and keep warm.
- Divide the spaghetti into two whip-shaped pieces. Twist around the edges of the dinner plate as shown in the photos. The two sections of spaghetti should dip and touch at the top of the plate and should touch at the bottom in a point – just like a heart. (Use kitchen gloves to avoid burning yourself.) Place the meat sauce in the center, using the noodles as a nest. (You may have extra spaghetti remaining for a third serving. Use as leftovers if so, reserving a bit of extra sauce.)
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and the reserved tablespoon of fresh parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
More Pasta Recipes
Southwest Pasta with Black Beans and Ground Beef
Chicken Soup with Amish Noodles
Black Eye Pea Soup with Tortellini and Sausage
Sausage and Squash Skillet with Orzo
Tallerine (Beef Noodle Casserole)
Sausage Tortellini Soup with Spinach
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