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One Pan Mini Meatball Pasta

This One Pan Mini Meatball Pasta is comfort food made simple. Everything cooks together in one pan, creating a rich, flavorful meal that's easy enough for weeknights but delicious enough to put on repeat.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: 45 Minute Dinner, Comfort Food, Date Night, Easy Recipes, Family Dinner, Homemade, Italian, Kid Friendly, One Pan, One Pan Meal, Pasta, Quick Dinner, The Cooking Mawma
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef I use 80/20
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 5 whole, large garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1/4 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp beef bouillon powder
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

For the sauce

  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 3 whole, large garlic cloves minced
  • 4 1/2 cups chicken broth + more, if needed, for cooking pasta
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 lb orecchiette pasta any small shape pasta will work
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

For the meatballs (makes about 40-42 small meatballs)

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add all ingredients under “-for the meatballs-“ (ground beef, parsley, garlic, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, beef bouillon powder, egg, and salt and pepper) in a large bowl and mix together until combined. 
  • Wet hands slightly to prevent sticking and roll meatballs into 1-inch balls, transfer to prepared baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes. 
  • Once done, remove from the oven and set aside.

For the sauce

  • While meatballs are baking, make the sauce. On medium heat, add tomato paste and garlic and let cook for 2-3 minutes. 
  • Add chicken broth and turn heat to high, bringing to a boil.  Once boiling, lower heat to medium-low and add pasta. Cover with a lid, and cook until done (about 11-12 minutes).
    • NOTE: Stir often as pasta can stick to the bottom of the pan. If needed, add more chicken broth (1/2 cup at a time) until pasta is done.
  • Add cooked meatballs into the sauce and stir.
  • Remove from the heat and add heavy cream, parmesan cheese and butter. Mix until incorporated. Remove from the heat and add heavy cream, parmesan cheese and butter. Mix until incorporated.
  • Taste for salt, if needed. Serve with additional cheese and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 985kcal | Carbohydrates: 101g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 174mg | Sodium: 2949mg | Potassium: 1141mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1553IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 407mg | Iron: 6mg