Here’s a comforting Creamy Pasta with Meatballs recipe — tender meatballs nestled on a rich, cheesy pasta base.
🍝 Creamy Pasta with Meatballs
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
Creamy Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of nutmeg or red pepper flakes
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Meatballs
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Form into small meatballs (about 1–1.5 inches).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown meatballs on all sides (they don’t need to cook through completely — they’ll finish in the sauce).
- Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce
- In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella, salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg or red pepper flakes.
- Cook until sauce thickens slightly.
4️⃣ Combine Pasta and Meatballs
- Toss cooked pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Nestle meatballs on top and simmer 5–7 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
5️⃣ Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan.
- Serve immediately with garlic bread or a simple salad.
💡 Tips
- For extra flavor, sear meatballs in a mix of olive oil and butter.
- Use a mix of cheeses (mozzarella, fontina, or provolone) for richer creaminess.
- Leftovers store in the fridge for 2–3 days and reheat gently to avoid curdling.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
If you want, I can also give you a baked version where the creamy pasta and meatballs are layered in a casserole for a golden, bubbly finish.
Do you want that baked version?
