BBQ Honey Garlic Pasta (Printer-Friendly Version)

A flavorful dish combining BBQ, honey, garlic, ranch, meatballs, and cheese with warm pasta.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Meatballs

01 - 454 g ground beef or turkey
02 - 120 ml breadcrumbs
03 - 25 g grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Sauce

08 - 240 ml BBQ sauce
09 - 60 ml honey
10 - 120 ml ranch dressing

→ Pasta and Cheese

11 - 340 g dry pasta (penne or rotini)
12 - 120 g shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh parsley (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and shape into 2.5 cm (1 inch) diameter meatballs.
03 - Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fully cooked.
04 - While meatballs bake, prepare pasta following package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
05 - Mix BBQ sauce, honey, and ranch dressing in a bowl. Toss the baked meatballs in this sauce to coat evenly.
06 - In a large pot, combine the pasta with the coated meatballs. Stir in shredded cheese until melted and uniformly incorporated.
07 - Transfer the mixture to serving dishes and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - To retain moisture when reheating, warm the dish over medium heat with a splash of water or extra dressing. If microwaving, cover to avoid drying out and stir periodically.
02 - For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs and pasta with gluten-free alternatives without altering seasoning.