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Meatball Pasta Bake

A satisfying and hearty dish combining classic flavors of meatballs, gooey cheese, and al dente pasta baked to perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground beef or turkey (or plant-based alternative) Feel free to use any meat of your choice.
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs
  • 1 large Egg Acts as a binder.
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning Add more for enhanced flavor.
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black pepper
For the Pasta Bake
  • 3 cups Pasta (short pasta like penne or rotini) Use any short pasta of your choice.
  • 2 cups Marinara sauce or Alfredo sauce Feel free to experiment with sauce types.
  • 2 cups Cheese (mozzarella, provolone, Gouda) Mix different cheeses for a unique flavor.
  • 0.5 cup Fresh basil or parsley For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into meatballs, roughly the size of golf balls.
  4. In a skillet, brown the meatballs over medium heat until cooked through. Set aside.
  5. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Assembly and Baking
  1. In a large baking dish, combine cooked pasta with marinara sauce and half of the cheese. Stir to combine.
  2. Add the cooked meatballs on top of the pasta mixture.
  3. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the meatballs and pasta.
  4. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly.
  5. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve hot.

Notes

Customize the recipe by using different types of pasta or sauces. Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for more nutrition.