Pasta with Meatballs

Pasta with meatballs is a comforting and classic dish that’s simple to prepare. This meal combines flavorful meatballs and made fresh pasta but you can use store-bought spaghetti or any of your favorite pasta. The sauce is made with a store-bought spaghetti sauce but I jazz it up with spices and a bit of honey to balance the acidity of the tomato sauce. Let’s make this dish using basic ingredients and straightforward steps.

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TIPS FOR MAKING DELICIOUS AND MOIST MEATBALLS

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INGREDIENTS FOR THE PASTA WITH MEATBALLS

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Ground Beef

Is a cornerstone of any classic meatball recipe, providing a rich and hearty base. Choosing beef with a slightly higher fat content ensured the meatballs remained moist and flavorful.

Spices for Meatballs:

• Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth, bringing a classic Italian flavor to the meatballs.
• Onion Powder: Enhances the savory profile with a hint of sweetness.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces a subtle smokiness, adding complexity to the meatballs.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Chili Flakes: Provides a gentle kick of heat, balancing the savory elements.

Egg

Eggs act as a binding agent, helping the meatballs maintain their shape while adding richness and moisture to the mixture.

Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs add texture and help absorb excess moisture, ensuring the meatballs are tender yet cohesive.

Whole Milk

Whole milk is used to soak the bread crumbs, adding moisture and helping to bind the ingredients for a more tender meatball.

Spices for the Sauce:

• Dried Fennel Seeds: Offers a mild anise flavor, elevating the sauce with a hint of sweetness.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Together they add savory and slightly sweet notes to the sauce.
• Smoked Paprika: Continues the smoky undertone in the sauce, complementing the meatballs.
• Salt: Balances the flavors of the sauce.
• Chili Flakes: Adds a subtle heat, enhancing the sauce’s complexity.

Jar of Store-Bought Spaghetti Sauce

A convenient and flavorful base for the dish, store-bought spaghetti sauce provides a rich tomato base that complements the meatballs.

Chopped Parsley

Fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a fresh, herbaceous note to the finished dish, brightening the overall flavor.

Your Favorite Pasta

Selecting a pasta you love ensures the dish is tailored to your taste, providing the perfect vehicle for the sauce and meatballs.

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Pasta with Meatballs

Jen Paleracio

This Pasta with Meatballs is a classic dish that's simple to prepare and combines flavorful meatballs. The pasta could be homemade or store-bought, and the sauce is savory and satisfying.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Skillet
• Spatula
• Bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups

Ingredients

  

SPICES FOR THE MEATBALLS

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes

GROUND BEEF

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• oil for frying

PASTA SAUCE

• 1 24 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley or dried parsley
• 1 cup shredded cheese of your choice, like cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan

Instructions

 

SPICES FOR THE MEATBALLS:

• In a small bowl, combine the spices: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and red chili pepper flakes. Use a spoon to mix all the spices.

PREPARE THE MEATBALLS:

• In a large bowl, add the ground beef and the meatball spices.
• Crack one egg, add the breadcrumbs and whole milk.
• Use your hands or spatula to toss the meatball mixture and to ensure the ground meat is evenly coated with spices.
• Line a small sheet pan with parchment paper. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the meatball mixture from the bowl. Then roll each one on your hands to form a ball.
• Place onto a prepared sheet pan.
• Heat a non-stick skillet with oil, over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in the pan and sear on all sides until nicely browned about 3 minutes. Set them aside while preparing the sauce.

MAKE THE PASTA SAUCE

• In a pan, add the store-bought pasta sauce. Simmer for at least 10 minutes, then add the spices to the sauce: garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried fennel seeds, red chili pepper flakes, and salt to taste. Add the honey and stir to combine.
• Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley.
• You can use this sauce without the pasta or use a store-bought pasta of your choice. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions if using store-bought. Or get my recipe for making pasta.
• Finish by adding the cheese and garnish with more parsley
• If you like to make pasta from scratch – here's my pasta recipe

Video

Keyword al dente pasta, classic dish, comfort food, culinary delight, easy recipe, flavorful, fresh ingredients, garlic and herbs, ground beef, hearty meatballs, homemade, Italian cuisine, moist meatballs, rich flavor, savory, simple prepartion, tomato sauce, traditional

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