Penne with Meatballs Recipe

A hearty and comforting Italian-American dish featuring tender meatballs, al dente penne pasta, and a rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

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Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Calories: 520kcal

Cost: $12

Equipment

1 Large skillet For browning meatballs and simmering sauce; cast iron preferred
1 Large pot To boil penne pasta properly with enough space
1 Pasta strainer To drain the cooked pasta easily
1 Mixing bowl For combining meatball ingredients
1 Wooden spoon Ideal for stirring sauce and tossing pasta without breaking meatballs

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend preferred
0.5 cup breadcrumbs plain or Italian-style
1 large egg
0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
2 garlic cloves minced
1 small onion finely diced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta & Sauce

1 lb penne pasta
24 oz marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
14.5 oz crushed tomatoes canned
2 tablespoon olive oil for browning meatballs
0.5 cup fresh basil chopped
0.5 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, optional
Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Instructions

Mix meatball ingredients, shape into balls, and brown them in a skillet with olive oil for 8–10 minutes.
Add marinara and crushed tomatoes to the skillet; simmer with meatballs for 15–20 minutes.
Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
Add pasta to the sauce and meatballs; toss gently, add basil and mozzarella, and serve with Parmesan.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition