One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs
A hearty one-pan dish featuring tender meatballs, al dente pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, infused with Italian herbs. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb, finely chopped Italian sausage
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup (for garnish) grated Parmesan cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage; cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Add milk and stir until well combined.
- Step 3: Form the meat mixture into 12 small meatballs, place in the skillet, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz spaghetti to the skillet, stirring to coat with the meat mixture. Pour marinara sauce over the pasta, stir to combine.
- Step 5: Cover and bake for 20-25 minutes until pasta is al dente and sauce is heated through.
- Step 6: Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Italian Pasta with Meatballs?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
