Creamy Tomato Pasta with Meatballs
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Meatballs 🍝
Servings: 4-6 | Time: 45 min
Ingredients
Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground sausage
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 tsp seasoning salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 Eggs
Sauce:
• 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
Pasta:
• 1 box (16 oz) penne noodles
• 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, optional basil
Instructions
1 Mix meatball ingredients, form 1-inch balls, and cook in 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 8-10 min until browned. Set aside.
2 Boil penne until al dente, drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
3 In same skillet, sauté onion, bell pepper in 1 Tbsp olive oil for 5 min. Add garlic, tomato paste; cook 1 min.
4 Stir in crushed tomatoes, heavy cream; simmer 5 min. Add 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan; stir until creamy. Thin with pasta water if needed.
5 Toss in pasta, meatballs. Top with remaining cheese, cover, melt 2-3 min. Garnish with basil.
Serve hot with garlic bread! 🧄 #PastaLovers #CreamyTomato #EasyDinner
This Creamy Tomato Pasta with Meatballs recipe is a perfect blend of hearty and comforting flavors that appeal to both family dinners and casual gatherings. The combination of ground beef and sausage in the meatballs adds a delicious depth of taste, enhanced by classic seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and liquid smoke for a subtle smoky note. Using bread crumbs and eggs ensures the meatballs stay tender and hold together well during cooking. The sauce is a luscious mix of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses, balanced by the acidity of crushed tomatoes and the richness of heavy cream. Sautéed onions, bell peppers, and garlic bring additional layers of flavor and texture, creating a creamy, cheesy base that coats the pasta and meatballs wonderfully. The option to thin the sauce with reserved pasta water is a great tip to achieve the desired consistency without diluting the flavors. Cooking the pasta al dente is key for this dish, as it provides the perfect texture to absorb the creamy tomato sauce. Penne noodles are the ideal choice because their tubular shape holds the sauce well. Finishing the dish with fresh basil adds a fresh herbal aroma and brightens the overall taste. For added enjoyment, serve this pasta hot with garlic bread, which complements the creamy tomato flavors beautifully. This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also adaptable—try swapping in different types of pasta or adding vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to increase nutritional value. The Homemade meatballs keep the dish protein-rich and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a classic Italian-American meal or a comforting pasta dish to impress guests, this creamy tomato pasta with meatballs ticks all the boxes. It’s a wonderful choice for #EasyDinner and a delicious recipe to share with the #PastaLovers community. Enjoy this warm, comforting plate that brings together creamy, cheesy, and savory elements in every bite.
Creamy tomato pasta with meatballs sounds so rich and comforting 😭🍝✨ the creamy sauce with flavorful meatballs is such a perfect combo