Description
This Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender meatballs, cheesy pasta, and a savory tomato sauce all baked to golden perfection. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, and it’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or just treating yourself to something comforting. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this pasta bake will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
For the pasta bake:
- 12 oz penne pasta (or your favorite pasta)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing)
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. -
Make the meatballs:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. -
Cook the pasta:
While the meatballs bake, cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. -
Assemble the pasta bake:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, and garlic powder. Stir to coat the pasta in the sauce and cheese. Gently fold in the cooked meatballs. -
Bake the pasta:
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. -
Bake to perfection:
Bake the pasta bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is golden brown. -
Serve:
Let the pasta bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of the meatballs.
- You can make the meatballs and pasta ahead of time, then assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat.
- For an extra cheesy version, add more mozzarella or even a dollop of ricotta cheese for creaminess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the dish
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg