Penne Pasta with Meatballs Recipe
This Italian-American classic features tender penne pasta, juicy homemade meatballs, and a rich marinara sauce. It takes 45 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people. Each serving contains 650-750 calories, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. Serve it with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy this comforting dish for a delicious family dinner!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups crushed tomatoes
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Salt for boiling water
- Grated Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Make the Meatballs:
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and fry meatballs until browned on all sides (about 6–8 minutes). Set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same pan, sauté onion in olive oil until soft.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the meatballs. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain but do not rinse.
Assemble the Dish:
- Toss pasta with the sauce and meatballs.
- Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan and fresh basil.