Marry Me Beef Meatball Pasta
Craving a comforting yet speedy dinner? This creamy one-pan pasta dish is a must-try. Packed with juicy beef meatballs, al dente pasta, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, this one-pan Marry Me Beef Meatball Pasta is a complete meal you can whip up in 30 minutes flat.
Why you’ll love this marry me meatball recipe
- Quick and easy dinner: Just like my ground beef Alfredo, this easy pasta recipe comes together with a few staple ingredients in 30 minutes flat, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-pot pasta dish: Prepared in one large skillet, this one-pan pasta recipe makes clean-up a breeze.
- Complete meal: Juicy meatballs, al dente pasta, and a creamy vegetable sauce are all cooked in one dish, making this a complete meal.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for the meatballs but you can also substitute half with ground pork. Lamb meatballs make a delicious alternative as well. Substitute the beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- Herbs & spices: I use dried oregano and pepper flakes for convenience but fresh garlic cloves for the meatballs and sauce. You can choose garlic powder if needed.
- Stock: I use vegetable stock for this dish but you can also opt for beef broth.
- Pasta: Short pasta such as penne, orzo, or gnocchi works well but you can also use spaghetti, fettuccine, or homemade ribbon noodles. Just reduce the cooking time if you opt for fresh pasta accordingly.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Spice it up: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes for a spicier Arrabbiata pasta dish.
Fresh tomatoes: Substitute sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a sweeter flavor.
Bacon: Crisp up some bacon pieces or add prosciutto alongside the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for some extra indulgence.
How to make marry me beef meatball pasta
Step 1: Add all meatball ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and combine.
Step 2: Shape 1-inch meatballs.
Step 3: Sear the meatballs briefly on both sides in olive oil. Add minced garlic, pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Step 4: Deglaze the pan with stock and add the dried pasta.
Step 3: Add the baby spinach and cook the pasta slightly less than al dente.
Step 4: Add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese and season the marry me sauce to taste.
Serving
Serve with flatbread such as my Turkish pide to mop up the sauce. A simple side salad such as my Insalata Mista makes it a complete meal.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make this one-pot meatball and pasta dish in advance and reheat when ready to serve. You might need to add extra stock to loosen it up a little.
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Simply defrost and reheat it gently to avoid the cream from separating.
More one-pot dinner recipes
For more easy all-in-one dishes, check out the following recipes:
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Marry Me Beef Meatball Pasta
Ingredients
Beef Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
Marry Me Pasta Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped, oil drained
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups vegetable stock or beef stock
- 8 oz dried pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach lightly packed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated, extra for serving
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.1 lb ground beef, 1 garlic clove, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and sear them briefly on both sides (Note 1). You don't want them to be cooked through at this stage.1 tbsp olive oil
- Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.2 garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- Pour the stock into the skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the stock up to a boil and add the dried pasta. Lower the temperature to a simmer and add the spinach. Cook the pasta slightly less than al dente (about 5 minutes) as it will continue to cook in the sauce.2 cups vegetable stock, 2 cups baby spinach, 8 oz dried pasta
- Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Cook the sauce for another 1-2 minutes on medium heat to combine everything. It will thicken further as the dish cools down. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese!1 cup heavy cream, salt & pepper, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Love this creamy one-pan recipe!