Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients — fresh, quality basics that bring out the best flavors without fuss. I always reach for freshly grated Parmesan because it melts beautifully and adds a depth that pre-grated just can’t match. For the meatballs, ground beef mixed with a bit of Italian seasoning keeps things simple but flavorful. And don’t underestimate the power of fresh garlic in that butter sauce — it’s what makes this dish sing for me every time.
- 12 oz linguine pasta
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (plus 3 cloves for the garlic butter sauce)
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (panko works well for a lighter texture)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (to loosen sauce)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine according to package instructions until al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined — overmixing can make meatballs tough.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside on a plate.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches, cooking for about 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to low and add butter along with minced garlic. Cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Return meatballs to the skillet and toss gently in the garlic butter sauce. Add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Add the cooked linguine to the skillet, tossing everything together until pasta is coated in the buttery garlic sauce.
- Finish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Parmesan Linguine & Garlic Butter Meatballs, recipe, cooking, food
