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Meatball Pasta (One Pot!) Recipe

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4 from 28 reviews

This comforting one-pot Meatball Pasta recipe combines tender homemade meatballs with a rich tomato sauce and perfectly cooked orecchiette pasta. Baked meatballs are added to a flavorful sauce infused with garlic, tomato paste, and Italian seasonings, then simmered with pasta until tender. Finished with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this hearty dish is perfect for an easy family dinner in just 45 minutes.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups beef broth
  • ¾ cups half and half
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • ½ chicken bouillon cube
  • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¾ teaspoon dried parsley
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • ½ cup crushed Ritz crackers (can substitute Italian breadcrumbs)
  • 3 tablespoons half and half (can substitute milk)
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta and Cheese

  • ½ lb. orecchiette pasta
  • 1 ¼ cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a large measuring cup with a spout, combine the beef broth, half and half, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, crumbled chicken bouillon cube, dried oregano, basil, and parsley. Set aside for later use while you prep other ingredients.
  2. Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground beef, crushed Ritz crackers, half and half, whisked egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and onion powder. Be careful not to overwork the mixture to keep meatballs tender.
  3. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  4. Form and Bake Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes until cooked through. Optionally, broil at 475°F for up to 1 minute to brown the tops. Use a slotted spatula to transfer the meatballs to a plate when done.
  5. Start Sauce Base on Stove: While meatballs bake, melt butter in a soup pot over medium-low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen flavor.
  6. Add Sauce Mixture and Tomato Sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and add the tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil on the stovetop.
  7. Cook Pasta in Sauce: Add the orecchiette pasta to the boiling sauce. Cook uncovered according to package instructions, usually 9-12 minutes. Use a silicone spatula to gently stir and lift pasta from the bottom occasionally to prevent sticking.
  8. Check Pasta Doneness: Taste a piece of pasta to ensure it is cooked to your liking before proceeding.
  9. Combine Meatballs and Cheese: Gently stir the baked meatballs into the pot with the pasta and sauce. Sprinkle in the shredded mozzarella cheese and stir continuously until melted and evenly combined.
  10. Serve: Remove the pot from heat and dish out the pasta and meatballs, serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • You can substitute crushed Ritz crackers with Italian breadcrumbs for the meatballs.
  • If you don’t have half and half, milk works well as a substitute.
  • Use a light-colored baking sheet to better monitor meatball browning.
  • Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice golden crust to the meatballs.
  • Stirring the pasta while cooking prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
  • Orecchiette pasta is recommended but any bite-sized pasta would work.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/meatball-pasta-one-pot-recipe/