# Spaghetti & Meatballs: IDDSI Level 5 recipe

Canonical: [https://followyourswallow.com/recipes/spaghetti-and-meatballs-level-5](https://followyourswallow.com/recipes/spaghetti-and-meatballs-level-5)

Level 5: Minced & Moist | 30 min | Serves 1 + the family

## Family version

- Spaghetti
- Pork & beef meatballs
- Marinara
- Parmesan

## Level 5 ingredients

- 120 g cooked pasta
- 2 cooked meatballs (very tender)
- 150 ml marinara, blended smooth
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan
- Thick gravy or sauce thickener as needed

## Method

1. Cook the family meal as usual, simmering the meatballs until fork-tender.
2. Chop pasta into pieces no larger than 4 mm (measure against the gap between fork prongs).
3. Finely mince the meatballs to ≤ 4 mm; they should squash easily under a fork.
4. Blend the marinara completely smooth, and thicken so no thin liquid runs free.
5. Fold pasta and mince through the thick sauce until every piece is coated and moist. Check with the fork pressure test.

## Equipment

Sharp knife or mini food processor, fork for testing

## Practical tip

The sauce does the safety work at Level 5. It binds pieces together so nothing scatters in the mouth.

## Before serving

Run the appropriate IDDSI fork and spoon tests on the finished serving. Recipes guide the preparation; only testing confirms how the serving behaves.

## Safety

Use only the food and drink levels prescribed by the person's qualified clinician. Test the actual serving before it is eaten or drunk.