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Creamy Marry Me Meatballs Recipe with Pasta Easy Comfort Meal

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Tender meatballs simmered in a luscious, creamy sauce served with pasta, perfect for a comforting and easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 ounces pasta of choice (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. Should yield about 20 meatballs.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in batches and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Whisk until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
  7. Add grated Parmesan, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Add browned meatballs back into the skillet with the sauce. Spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low for 12-15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
  9. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  10. Toss cooked pasta with the creamy sauce and meatballs. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
  11. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley sprinkled on top.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball mixture to avoid toughness. Brown meatballs well for better flavor and texture. Use room temperature ingredients for better sauce emulsification. Simmer meatballs gently to keep them tender. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. If sauce thickens too much, add pasta water or broth to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, creamy sauce, pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal, creamy marry me meatballs

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