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Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Pasta Bake
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

A hearty and comforting Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake featuring tender homemade meatballs, perfectly cooked pasta, layers of rich marinara sauce, and a blend of melted mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Ready in just over an hour, this baked pasta dish is perfect for family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1/2 cup (60g) breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Pasta and Sauce:

  • 1 lb (450g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 24 oz (680g) marinara sauce

Cheeses:

  • 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese

Optional:

  • 1 cup chopped spinach or bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the pasta later.
  2. Prepare Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated. Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
  3. Brown Meatballs: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. This seals in juices and adds flavor. Once browned, set them aside.
  4. Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta until just shy of al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain well.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large pot, mix the cooked pasta with two-thirds of the marinara sauce and a handful of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring to coat evenly.
  6. Prepare Baking Dish: Spread a thin layer of the remaining marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. First Layer: Add half of the pasta mixture into the dish, then layer half of the browned meatballs over the pasta. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top.
  8. Second Layer: Repeat layering with the remaining pasta, meatballs, and finish with a generous topping of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
  9. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and melt cheese.
  10. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Optional Broil: For an extra crispy cheese crust, broil the pasta bake on high for 2-3 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.
  12. Rest and Serve: Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to set slightly before serving.

Notes

  • You can use a mix of ground beef and pork for more flavor in meatballs.
  • Chopping spinach or bell peppers and adding them between layers adds extra nutrition and color.
  • For a spicier kick, include red pepper flakes in the meatball mixture or sauce.
  • Make sure not to overcook pasta; slightly undercooked pasta prevents mushiness after baking.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave for delicious next-day meals.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/cheesy-meatball-pasta-bake-recipe/