A delicious and hearty Meatball Pasta Bake that combines flavorful meatballs with pasta and cheese, perfect for family dinners.
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Meatball Pasta Bake: Discover a Delicious Family Classic!
Description
A delicious and hearty Meatball Pasta Bake that combines flavorful meatballs with pasta and cheese, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- ½ cupbreadcrumbs
- ¼ cupgrated Parmesan cheese
- 1large egg
- 2cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tspItalian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ozpenne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cupsmarinara sauce
- 1 cupricotta cheese (optional)
- 2 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Add the meatballs in batches and brown on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- Mix the marinara sauce with the drained pasta, then gently fold in the browned meatballs. If using ricotta, dollop half over the pasta mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, then sprinkle with half the mozzarella. Add the remaining pasta and top with the rest of the mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Feel free to substitute ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Ricotta cheese is optional but adds creaminess to the dish.
For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 25g
