Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
This Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or potlucks.With tender homemade meatballs, perfectly cooked pasta, and a generous helping of melty cheese, it's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb 450g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup 60g breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup 25g grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the pasta bake:
- 1 lb 450g penne or rigatoni pasta
- 24 oz 680g marinara sauce
- 2 cups 200g shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup 100g shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup 50g grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1 cup chopped spinach or bell peppers
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix all meatball ingredients. Shape into golf ball-sized meatballs.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Set aside.
- Cook pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente (2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain.
- In a large pot, mix cooked pasta with 2/3 of the marinara sauce and a handful of Parmesan.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of remaining sauce.
- Layer half the pasta, followed by half the meatballs and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and cheddar.
- Repeat layers, ending with a cheese topping.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispy cheese.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.