- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- EASY
- Calories
- 875 kcal
Quick summary
“Pasta with meatballs combines al dente penne pasta with homemade ground beef meatballs browned in a skillet and cooked in a full-bodied sauce of peeled tomatoes with basil. A comforting classic for the family table.”
What you need to know
- The breadcrumbs with egg added to the ground meat ensure a firm bond and internal softness to the meatballs during frying.
- Browning the meatballs before the sauce seals the meat juices and creates a tasty toasted bottom in the skillet.
- The peeled tomato reduced with a pinch of sugar balances the natural acidity and coats the penne evenly.
Ingredients
Main
- Dough: 500g of penne pasta
- Meatballs: 500g of ground meat, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/2 grated onion, salt and pepper to taste
- Sauce: 1 can of peeled tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of sugar, basil to taste
Instructions
Principal
- Prepare the meatballs: in a bowl, mix the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper. Form small balls.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil and fry the meatballs until they are golden on the outside and cooked on the inside.
- In another pot, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Set aside.
- In the same skillet as the meatballs, add the peeled tomatoes and sugar, stirring well.
- After boiling, add the basil and adjust the salt.
- When the sauce is ready, add the meatballs and mix well.
- Drain the pasta and add to the sauce and meatball mixture, stirring carefully so as not to break the pasta.
- Serve hot, decorated with a little more basil if desired.
Chef's tips
- Shape the meat balls with hands lightly greased in oil so they are smooth and have a uniform weight of 30g.
- Do not stir the meatballs for the first 2 minutes in the skillet so that they form a firm crust without falling apart.
- Drain the pasta 1 minute before the time indicated on the package so it finishes cooking in the tomato sauce.
Variations
- Stuff the center of each meatball with a small cube of mozzarella cheese before closing and frying.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and a pinch of red pepper flakes directly into the sauce.
- Gratin the complete dish in a baking dish covered with grated parmesan cheese in the oven at 200°C for 10 minutes.
Substitutions
- The ground beef (chuck or round) can be replaced by ground chicken or ground pork leg.
- Penne pasta can be swapped for traditional spaghetti, fusilli (corkscrew), or rigatoni of durum wheat.
- Canned peeled tomatoes can be replaced with 600g of ripe chopped tomatoes, cooked and blended.
How to store
Store the pasta with the meatballs and sauce in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating in the pan, add 3 tablespoons of filtered water over low heat with a lid to hydrate the pasta without drying out the meat.
Can it be frozen?
Freeze the meatballs already cooked in tomato sauce for up to 90 days in the freezer in an airtight container. Cooked dough does not freeze well when mixed; cook the fresh pasta at the moment of defrosting and serving the meatballs.
What to serve with
Serve hot accompanied by freshly grated Parmesan cheese, slices of crispy Italian bread, and green arugula salad with olive oil. Pairs perfectly with Chianti red wine or chilled whole grape juice.
Frequently asked questions
Why put sugar in peeled tomato sauce?
The teaspoon of sugar neutralizes the pungent acidity of canned tomato without leaving the sauce with a sweet flavor.
Can I bake the meatballs instead of frying in olive oil?
Yes, arrange the balls in a greased baking sheet and bake at 200°C for 18 minutes before dipping in the tomato sauce.
How to prevent meatballs from falling apart when frying?
Squeeze the meat mixture with egg and breadcrumbs well when rolling and let the skillet get very hot before placing.
How to keep penne pasta loose after draining?
Transfer the drained pasta immediately to the skillet with the hot sauce without rinsing with cold water.
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