Juicy meatballs, pasta, and tomato sauce come together in one skillet for a cozy, cheesy Italian family meal.
# Components:
→ Meatballs
01 - 14 oz ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce and Pasta
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)
12 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 1 cup tomato passata or tomato purée
14 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - 9 oz short pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
18 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
→ Topping
19 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
21 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
# Method:
01 - In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined. Shape mixture into 16 to 18 small meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each.
02 - Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Brown meatballs on all sides for about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 3 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato passata, Italian herbs, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add short pasta and water or broth to the skillet. Stir thoroughly and nestle meatballs into the sauce.
06 - Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and meatballs are cooked through. Add additional water if needed to maintain moisture.
07 - Scatter mozzarella and Parmesan over the skillet contents. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Top with fresh basil leaves and serve hot directly from the skillet.
