Penne pasta with meatballs

Penne pasta with meatballs is a classic Italian-American dish that’s hearty and satisfying. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious meal:

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground beef (you can also use a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for frying

For the Penne Pasta:

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions:

Making the Meatballs:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
2. Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should be able to make around 20 meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer the cooked meatballs to a plate and set them aside.

Preparing the Penne Pasta:

1. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same skillet you used to cook the meatballs, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the finely chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well, bringing the sauce to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
4. Add the cooked meatballs back into the sauce and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to heat the meatballs through.

Assembling the Dish:

1. Serve the cooked penne pasta onto plates or a serving platter.
2. Spoon the tomato sauce and meatballs over the pasta.
3. Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious penne pasta with meatballs!

This dish is perfect for a comforting and satisfying family meal. Feel free to customize it by adding extra grated cheese or red pepper flakes for some extra kick, if you prefer.