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–+ servings

Garlic Butter Meatballs

Tender and juicy meatballs enveloped in a rich garlic butter sauce, served over creamy linguine for a comforting family meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ½ beef + ½ pork for extra flavor)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley For the meatball mixture
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter For the garlic butter sauce
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced For the sauce
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes Optional
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)

For the Pasta

  • 12 oz linguine Or any pasta of choice
  • 1 tbsp butter For the sauce
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan (for the sauce)
  • Pasta water as needed for consistency

Instructions
 

Make the Meatballs

  • In a large bowl, combine ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  • Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls to form about 20–24 meatballs. Set aside.

Sear the Meatballs

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides for about 6–8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.

Cook the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • In the same skillet, reduce heat to low. Add butter, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Return the meatballs to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer on low for about 5–7 minutes until cooked through.

Make the Pasta

  • Cook linguine according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
  • In a separate saucepan, melt butter, then add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Toss cooked linguine in the creamy sauce.

Plate and Serve

  • Serve the meatballs over a bed of creamy linguine, drizzling any extra garlic butter sauce over the top.
  • Garnish with parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Notes

For a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mix of milk and Greek yogurt. Add veggies for more nutrition, and feel free to experiment with different cheeses and herbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 900mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g
Keyword Comfort Food, cozy meal, family dinner, Garlic Butter Meatballs, Pasta Dish
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