This recipe for Meatballs Alfredo is a mouthwatering blend of ground beef, parmesan, and fresh parsley, paired with a rich and creamy alfredo sauce. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. Serve these tender meatballs and delicious sauce over your favorite pasta and it is sure to impress!
About the Recipe
The meatballs in this recipe are a delicious blend of ground beef seasoned perfectly with oregano, salt, and black pepper. The addition of grated parmesan and fresh Italian parsley gives them even more flavor, while breadcrumbs and egg help to bind everything together. The end result is wonderfully tender and flavorful meatballs.
The easy and delicious alfredo sauce is rich, creamy and pairs beautifully with the meatballs. Made with butter, garlic, heavy whipping cream, and plenty of parmesan cheese, it's the perfect topping for meatballs and pasta too!
The simplicity in the preparation and the delicious flavor in this recipe is what is going to make these meatballs one of your favorite recipes to make. Perfect as a fancy meal to serve a crowd or as a comforting family meal.
If you are looking for more meatball recipes, check out our: Spicy Meatballs, Easy Spicy Sticky Glazed Asian Meatballs or Sausage Meatballs.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Flavorful and tender - The combination of the ground beef, parmesan, oregano, and fresh parsley creates meatballs that are full of flavor. The breadcrumbs and eggs ensure they stay tender and juicy.
Creamy - The homemade alfredo sauce is rich, creamy and feels luxurious. It perfectly coats the pasta and pairs well with the meatballs. Your whole family will love it!
Simple - Despite its impressive appearance and taste, this recipe is straightforward to prepare. The steps are simple and the ingredients are easy to find.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this alfredo meatballs recipe:
- Oregano
- Salt & black pepper
- Ground beef
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs: Use plain breadcrumbs. You can also use breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Italian parsley
- Pasta: Use your favorite shape and size of pasta.
- Butter
- Garlic
- Heavy whipping cream
- Onion powder
Directions
Let's make these homemade meatballs together!
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the oregano, salt, black pepper, ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and parsley.
Step 3: Using your hands, mix thoroughly for 4-5 minutes.
Step 4: Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Step 5: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 2 minutes per side or until they are golden brown. Transfer to a baking dish.
Step 6: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10 minutes and then set them aside.
Step 7: Add the butter and garlic to the skillet and sauté the garlic for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Step 8: Add the heavy cream, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 9: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and then set aside.
Step 10: Add the onion powder, salt, black pepper, and parmesan cheese to the heavy cream mixture and whisk until the cheese is melted.
Step 11: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well. Top with the meatballs and fresh chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this comfort food recipe:
Uniform size - Roll the meatballs to a uniform size, about 1 inch in diameter, to ensure they cook evenly. You can use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon to help with this.
Wear gloves - I recommend wearing kitchen gloves for mixing and rolling the meat mixture into meatballs.
Pre-browning - Browning the meatballs in a skillet before baking them adds a delicious crust and extra flavor. Don't skip this step!
Reserve pasta water - Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy water can help loosen the sauce if needed.
Make ahead - To save time, feel free to prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to roll and cook the meatballs.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this delicious meal. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Large mixing bowl - I love these mixing bowls and use them daily in my kitchen. They are great for tossing salads, mixing ingredients, and even serving!
Kitchen gloves - These kitchen gloves can be used for any messy recipes!
Large pot - A quality large pot is important for any home cook! It's a go-to for making soups, pastas, and dishes for a crowd.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this alfredo meatball recipe.
Ground beef - Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken. You could also do a combination of ground beef and ground pork.
Parmesan cheese - Try using pecorino romano or asiago cheese instead of parmesan for a different flavor profile.
Additions - Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for an added touch of heat.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this easy recipe:
Italian Cheese Bread - Cheesy garlic herb butter pull apart bread is the perfect easy appetizer! This easy cheesy bread appetizer is perfect for any size gathering.
Simple Lupini Beans - This Simple Lupini Beans Recipe is the perfect side dish to a variety of meals. It will be a favorite dish in no time!
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts - These Honey Sriracha Brussels sprouts will be your new favorite way to make Brussels sprouts! And the best part - this dish only has a few simple ingredients and comes together in about a half hour!
Frequently Asked Questions
My tips for getting a smooth alfredo sauce start with quality ingredients. High quality butter, full fat whipping cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese will all help create the best flavor texture in your sauce. The second part is to make sure you are simmering the heavy cream but not boiling it. You do not want it to curdle. Lastly, when you add the parmesan cheese, be sure to whisk constantly for even and through melting.
After rolling the meatball mixture into 1-inch balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Ensure they are not touching each other, then place the baking sheet in the freezer until the meatballs are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Allow the cooked meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. Seal the container or bag, removing excess air and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Absolutely! Adding vegetables can enhance the flavor and nutritional value of this meal. Some great choices would be: fresh spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, peas, or asparagus.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe:
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a saucepan over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Meatballs Alfredo
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup chopped Italian parsley
For the Alfredo Sauce:
- 1 lb pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Chopped Italian parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large mixing bowl, add oregano, salt, black pepper, ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and parsley.
- Mix thoroughly for at least 4-5 minutes. I recommend wearing kitchen cloves for mixing.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove meatballs from pan and transfer to a baking dish.
- Bake meatballs in preheated oven for 10 minutes, then set aside.
- Add butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add heavy cream, and reduce heat to low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add onion powder, salt, black pepper, and 2 cups parmesan cheese to the pan and whisk until cheese is melted.
- Add pasta to the skillet, tossing well. Top with meatballs and chopped Italian parsley and serve.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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