Description
A comforting and flavorful Meatball Pasta Bake recipe that combines tender pasta, savory meatballs, gooey cheeses, and zesty marinara sauce baked to perfection. This hearty dish is an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Meatballs:
- 1 pound cooked meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
Sauce and Cheese:
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente, then drain.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta, meatballs, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer to baking dish: Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- You can use different pasta shapes and meatball varieties for variation.
- For added flavor, consider incorporating sautéed onions or spinach into the pasta mixture.
- Leftovers can be easily reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
