Seashells One Pan Pasta and Meatballs

Experience the ultimate comfort food with Seashells One Pan Pasta and Meatballs, a hearty and flavorful dish that brings Italian-inspired goodness to your table with minimal cleanup required! This recipe combines tender, homemade meatballs infused with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, simmered together with pasta shells in a rich tomato and broth-based sauce—all in a single skillet. Topped with gooey melted mozzarella and fresh basil, this family-friendly dinner is easy to prepare in just 45 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping leftovers, this one-pan wonder is a crowd-pleaser that balances savory, cheesy richness with vibrant touches of fresh herbs. Keywords: one-pan pasta, meatballs recipe, easy family dinner, Italian-inspired dish, skillet dinner, minimal cleanup.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 12 ounces medium pasta shells
• 0.25 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, 1 minced clove of garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 2

Roll the meat mixture into small 1-inch meatballs (about 20-25 meatballs) and set them aside.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or a wide saucepan over medium heat.

Step 4

Cook the meatballs in batches until evenly browned on each side, about 5 minutes total. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the chicken or vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Add the pasta shells to the skillet and stir to coat them in the sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce and pasta. Cover and simmer for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh basil and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, cover the skillet, and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with extra basil or Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2893.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3459.8

Total Fat 157.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 641.0mg	0%
Sodium 8254.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 340.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.7g	0%
Total Sugars 41.0g
Protein 175.4g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 1609.7mg	0%
Iron 23.8mg	0%
Potassium 3553.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.8%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 39.1%