Mini Meatball Penne
Transform weeknight dinners with the irresistible charm of Mini Meatball Penne—a comforting pasta dish packed with flavor and soul-warming goodness. This recipe features tender, oven-baked mini meatballs infused with Parmesan, Italian herbs, and garlic, served over perfectly al dente penne pasta. The hearty marinara sauce, simmered with fresh basil, ties it all together, and a melty layer of mozzarella cheese takes every bite to new, cheesy heights. Ready in just under an hour, this dish is ideal for busy evenings yet delicious enough to impress at family gatherings. Whether you’re craving a cozy Italian classic or looking to elevate your pasta night, Mini Meatball Penne is sure to become a new go-to favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
Using your hands, roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinara sauce and stir in the fresh basil leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the baked meatballs to the skillet with the marinara sauce, gently stirring to coat them evenly. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Toss the cooked penne pasta with the sauce and meatballs until well combined.
Transfer the pasta and meatballs to a serving dish and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Serve hot and enjoy your Mini Meatball Penne!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3455 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 166.0 g | 213% | |
| Saturated Fat | 58.4 g | 292% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 617 mg | 206% | |
| Sodium | 5607 mg | 244% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 321.8 g | 117% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.0 g | 75% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.3 g | ||
| Protein | 175.1 g | 350% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 1198 mg | 92% | |
| Iron | 24.8 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 1890 mg | 40% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
