Description
This Garlic Butter Meatballs & Parmesan Linguine Dream is a comforting Italian-American main course combining juicy, flavorful meatballs with creamy garlic butter linguine. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, the meatballs are seasoned with Parmesan and Italian herbs, then pan-fried to golden perfection. Tossed with linguine in a silky Parmesan garlic butter sauce, this dish is garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 8 oz linguine pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for pasta)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese and parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, 2 cloves minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs for uniform cooking and consistent size.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides and ensure they are cooked through. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and 1 clove minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then reduce the heat to low to prevent burning.
- Cook Linguine: Meanwhile, cook the linguine pasta according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with garlic butter. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and splash in the reserved pasta water, mixing gently to create a silky, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Combine Meatballs and Pasta: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet and gently toss to combine everything together.
- Serve: Serve the pasta and meatballs hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- For extra richness, brown the butter slightly before adding the garlic to develop a nutty flavor.
- You can substitute ground chicken or turkey for ground beef for a lighter option.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes to brighten and add a little heat to the dish.
