Description
A delicious Sweet and Tangy BBQ Meatball Pasta recipe featuring juicy homemade meatballs simmered in a flavorful BBQ sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta, and garnished with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish offers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors, ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
Sauce and Cooking
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tbsp honey (for sweetness)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for tanginess)
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite type)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs for even cooking.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly. Ensure the meatballs are cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once done, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- Make BBQ Sauce: Using the same skillet, add BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld perfectly.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet containing the BBQ sauce. Gently stir to coat the meatballs thoroughly. Let them simmer for an additional 5 minutes to absorb the sweet and tangy flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and keep aside.
- Toss Pasta and Meatballs: Combine the cooked pasta with the meatballs and BBQ sauce in the skillet or a large bowl. Toss well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce and meatballs.
- Serve and Garnish: Divide the pasta and BBQ meatballs into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil and sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your hearty meal!
Notes
- To ensure meatballs remain tender, avoid over-mixing the meat mixture.
- Use your favorite type of pasta to customize the dish to your liking.
- If you prefer a smokier flavor, add a touch of smoked paprika to the meatball mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Check internal temperature of meatballs with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs and choose gluten-free pasta.
