Marry Me Beef Meatball Pasta
This creamy one-pan Marry Me Beef Meatball Pasta is a must-try. Comforting yet speedy, this Italian-inspired dinner is packed with juicy beef meatballs, al dente pasta, and a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. A complete one-pan dinner you can whip up in 30 minutes flat!
Just like my ground beef Alfredo or baked spaghetti and meatballs, this creamy pasta recipe comes together with a few staple ingredients in 30 minutes flat, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Prepared in one large skillet it’s quick and easy to prepare and makes clean-up a breeze.
Serve this one-pan creamy pasta with my Greek yogurt flatbread to mop up the sauce. A simple side salad such as my Insalata Mista makes it a complete meal.
For more easy one-pot pasta dishes, check out my French onion soup pasta and Italian goulash as well.
If you loved this Marry Me Meatball Pasta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating below. Thank you!
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. You don't want them to be cooked through at this stage as they continue to cook in the sauce.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
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients and substitutions
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for the meatballs but you can also substitute half with ground pork. Italian 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 pappardelle pasta. Just reduce the cooking time if you opt for fresh pasta accordingly.
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.
Step-by-step photos: one-pot beef meatball pasta
1: Add all meatball ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and combine.
2: Shape 1-inch meatballs.
3: Sear the meatballs briefly on both sides in olive oil. Add minced garlic, pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
4: Deglaze the pan with stock and add the dried pasta.
5: Add the baby spinach and cook the pasta slightly less than al dente.
6: Add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese and season the marry me sauce to taste.
Very 😋 tasty
Love this creamy one-pan recipe!