Photo of Quick pasta & mini-meatballs by WW

Quick pasta & mini-meatballs

10
Points® value
Total Time
30 min
Prep
12 min
Cook
18 min
Serves
1
Difficulty
Easy
Multiply this recipe to serve a crowd or to make easy take-to-work lunches for yourself.

Ingredients

Uncooked 93% lean ground beef

3 oz

Fresh basil

4 tsp(s), chopped, divided

Seasoned breadcrumbs

1 tbsp(s), Italian variety

Grated Parmesan cheese

1½ tbsp(s), divided

Garlic

1 clove(s), small, minced

Table salt

1 pinch(es)

Cooking spray

3 spray(s)

Jarred fat-free marinara sauce

cup(s)

Uncooked whole wheat pasta

2 oz, rotini variety

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt if desired. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water to thin sauce if necessary.
  2. Meanwhile, combine beef, 2 tsp basil, breadcrumbs, 2 tsp Parmesan, garlic, and salt in a small bowl; form into 8 meatballs.
  3. Coat a small skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add meatballs; cook, shaking pan occasionally, until meatballs are browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add drained pasta and sauce to skillet, along with some reserved pasta cooking water, if desired; toss over low heat until coated. Stir in remaining 2 tsp basil; serve sprinkled with remaining 2 ½ tsp Parmesan.
  4. Makes 1 serving.