Ingredients
Scale
Gather these ingredients, and you’re halfway to a mouthwatering meal:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
If you’re missing any of these, no worries! Swap ground beef with ground chicken, or use milk instead of cream for a lighter version. The goal here is to make it work with what you have on hand.
Instructions
Let’s get those delicious aromas wafting through your kitchen with these easy steps:
- In a bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, then form into small meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, setting them aside once they’re golden. It’s okay if they’re not fully cooked through yet.
- In the same pot, add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the bell pepper is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the pasta and return the meatballs to the pot. Cover and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the meatballs are cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with more Cajun spice if desired.
- Garnish with parsley before serving, if using.
This recipe is a testament to the magic of a one-pot meal—simple, satisfying, and sensational.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: One-Pot Creamy Cajun Meatball Pasta, recipe, cooking, food
