Indulge in a culinary journey with our delectable pasta and meatballs, a classic dish that combines the comforting flavors of tender meatballs nestled in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, all complemented by perfectly cooked pasta. Experience the harmony of textures and flavors as you savor each bite, making this dish a timeless favorite. Discover three variations of this iconic meal: a traditional Italian version, a modern twist with turkey meatballs and a vegetarian alternative with flavorful lentil meatballs. Each recipe offers a unique culinary adventure, ensuring that every tastebud is satisfied.
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PASTA WITH MEATBALLS AND HERB SAUCE
Before you use herbs as a main ingredient - it helps to know which ones work on a grand scale. Parsley, obviously, works in abundance: it's clean-tasting, pleasantly grassy and almost never overwhelming. You can add literally a bunch (bunches!) of it to salad, soup, eggs, pasta, grains or beans. The same is largely true of basil, and you can use other mild herbs - chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, shiso - by at least the handful. (Mint is also useful but will easily take over a dish if you add too much of it. But all of these are great for making herb pastes, or pestos, alone or in combination. Use the same technique you use for basil pesto.)
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, easy, pastas, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix together the basil, parsley and chives. Soak the bread in the milk for 5 minutes, then gently squeeze any excess milk from the bread; discard the milk. Combine the bread with the meat, 1 cup of the herbs and some salt and pepper; shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if necessary). Cook, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Cook the pasta in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. While the pasta is cooking, purée 11/2 cups of the herbs with 4 tablespoons oil, the garlic and some salt and pepper in a mini food processor or blender; leave the sauce rough or add a little water if you want it smoother. Drain the pasta, reserving about a cup of its cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the herb sauce and most of the remaining herbs, adding the reserved liquid if the mixture seems dry. Top with the meatballs, garnish with Parmesan and the last of the herbs and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 750, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 89 grams, Fat 31 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 549 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
GREEK PASTA WITH MEATBALLS AND FETA CHEESE
This recipe is loosley based on one that I got from the Cooking Light archives. I chose to partially bake the meatballs in the oven, then finish off the baking in the marinara sauce.
Provided by Abby Girl
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 50m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. Keep warm.
- Combine breadcrumbs , oregano, salt, cinnamon, black pepper, lamb and garlic in a medium bowl; stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons parsley. Add egg white, stirring mixture until just combined. Shape mixture into 12 (1-inch) meatballs; cover and chill meatballs 5 minutes. (Can be made ahead of time).
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Bake the meatballs on a roaster pan for 20 minutes. Drain the fat, if necessary. Place the meatballs in a new baking dish and spoon the marinara sauce over meatballs; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until meatballs are done. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley.
- Serve over orzo.
DEE DEE'S ITALIAN MEATBALLS AND PASTA
I found an older model electric pasta machine in the box and like new for $8 in a thrift store. Previous owner(s) had obviously not used this machine very often. SCORE! I couldn't wait to get home and play with this new gadget and I really wanted to make an impression with the 1st meal since I was making my own pasta. I love...
Provided by Diane Atherton
Categories Beef
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- 1. Soak bread slices in milk; squeeze excess moisture out of bread. Combine bread and remaining ingredients together except for the olive oil; mix well. Form meatballs. I made 21 large meatballs using a 1/4 cup measuring cup. You can make any size you desire.
- 2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over a medium heat; add meatballs and brown. Once browned, cover an reduce heat to low (just to keep warm). Prepare sauce.
- 3. SAUCE: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook until tender.
- 4. Add red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper; stir. Bring to a slow boil, reduce heat slighly and let simmer for 15 minutes covered. Remove lid and simmer another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken.
- 5. Add meatballs to sauce, cover and simmer for another 30 minutes.
- 6. Plate up pasta, place 2 or 3 meatballs on top of spaghetti (or pasta of choice) and spoon sauce over top. Sprinkle with a little parmesan. Serve with a side salad and a fresh roll.
ONE-PAN PASTA AND MEATBALLS
Four ingredients is all you need for an easy Italian night!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In 10-inch skillet, heat water and pasta sauce to boiling. Stir in macaroni, meatballs and olives. Return to boiling.
- Reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender. Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 790, Carbohydrate 92 g, Cholesterol 145 mg, Fiber 6 g, Protein 39 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1940 mg
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the meatballs will taste. Use fresh, flavorful meat, and use a good quality breadcrumb. - Don't overwork the meat. Overworking the meat will make the meatballs tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined. - Let the meatballs rest. After you form the meatballs, let them rest for at least 30 minutes. This will help them hold their shape when they are cooked. - Cook the meatballs thoroughly. Cook the meatballs until they are cooked through and browned on all sides. This will ensure that they are safe to eat. - Serve the meatballs with your favorite sauce. Serve the meatballs with a traditional tomato sauce, or try a different sauce, such as a cream sauce or a pesto sauce.Conclusion:
Making pasta and meatballs is a great way to create a delicious and hearty meal. By following the tips in this article, you can make sure that your meatballs are flavorful and juicy, and that your pasta is cooked to perfection. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give this pasta and meatballs recipe a try.
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