Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Italian Meatballs
Tender, flavorful Italian meatballs paired with al dente pasta coated in a creamy Parmesan sauce, topped with fresh parsley and extra cheese for a comforting and indulgent dinner.
- Author: Djihane
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
- For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (such as ditalini or rigatoni)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- In a large bowl, mix all meatball ingredients until well combined. Roll into bite-sized balls.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs for 8–10 minutes, turning to brown evenly, until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss pasta in the sauce until well coated.
- Serve pasta with meatballs on the side, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
- For extra flavor, brown the meatballs well before cooking through.
- You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- This dish pairs well with garlic bread and a green salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (pasta with meatballs)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: meatball pasta, creamy parmesan pasta, Italian dinner, comfort food