Penne Pasta with Meatballs Recipe

A close-up of a white plate filled with penne pasta, juicy meatballs covered in marinara sauce, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.

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!

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings: 4

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Italian- American

Calories: 700

Ingredients Method

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

Method

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.