One Pan Pasta and Meatballs Recipe

One Pan Pasta and Meatballs is an easy family dinner made with tender homemade meatballs, penne pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all cooked in one skillet.

One Pan Pasta and Meatballs

This One Pan Pasta and Meatballs recipe is comfort food without the mountain of dishes. Tender homemade meatballs, penne pasta, and tomato sauce cook together in one skillet for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

The meatballs are browned first for flavor, then simmered with the pasta so everything finishes cooking together in the same pan.

Why You’ll Love This, One-Pan Dinner

• Made in one skillet
• Easy family dinner
• Homemade meatballs
• Minimal cleanup
• Comforting and filling
• Ready in about 40 minutes

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients like ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, penne pasta, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, and Italian seasoning.

The beef broth gives the pasta extra flavor as it cooks, while the tomato sauce and tomato paste create a rich sauce that coats everything beautifully.

Tips For Tender Meatballs

• Do not overmix the meatball mixture.
• If the mixture feels too wet, add breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Brown the meatballs before simmering for better flavor.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan when possible.
• Let the finished dish rest for a few minutes before serving.

The meatballs finish cooking while the pasta simmers, which keeps them juicy and flavorful.

Easy Variations

• Use ground turkey instead of beef.
• Use Italian sausage for extra flavor.
• Add spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Add mushrooms or zucchini to the sauce.
• Use mozzarella on top for a cheesy version.

I hope you can try this delicious One Pan Pasta and Meatballs recipe at home. If you do, tag me @Livingsweetmoments or use the hashtag #LivingSweet.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

One Pan Pasta And Meatballs

This One Pan Pasta and Meatballs recipe combines tender homemade meatballs, pasta, and tomato sauce in a single skillet for an easy weeknight dinner. A comforting family meal with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: comfort food recipe, easy family dinner, homemade meatballs, meatball pasta recipe, one pan pasta and meatballs, one pot pasta, skillet pasta recipe, weeknight dinner recipe

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 764kcal

Author: Tiffany Bendayan

Ingredients

For The Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/4 cup onion chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

For The Pasta

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cups beef broth

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• In a blender or food processor, combine the onion, bell pepper, garlic, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Pulse until finely chopped.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, vegetable mixture, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until combined. If the mixture feels too wet, add a little more breadcrumbs.
• Shape the mixture into 16-20 meatballs.
• Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
• Brown the meatballs on all sides, working in batches if necessary. Transfer to a plate.
• Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and penne pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine.
• Return the meatballs to the skillet and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
• Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
• Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

• If the meatball mixture feels too wet, add additional breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be substituted for the beef.
• Freshly grated Parmesan adds the best flavor.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• For extra vegetables, add diced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach during the simmering stage.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 764kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 168mg | Sodium: 1222mg | Potassium: 781mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1042IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 220mg | Iron: 7mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with ground turkey?

Yes. Ground turkey works well, though the meatballs may be a little leaner than beef.

Can I use another pasta shape?

Yes. Short pasta shapes like rigatoni, rotini, ziti, or shells, work well. Cooking time may vary slightly.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers can be added to the sauce.

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