Italian Meatball Pasta Bake (Printable)
Tender meatballs and melted cheese over pasta in rich tomato sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef or beef and pork blend
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1/4 cup milk
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pasta Bake
11 - 12 ounces dried penne or rigatoni
12 - 2 cups marinara or tomato pasta sauce
13 - 1 cup water
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Garnish
17 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined. Roll into 24 small meatballs, approximately 1 tablespoon each.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides for about 5 minutes. They do not need to be cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
05 - Combine partially cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and water in the baking dish. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
06 - Nestle browned meatballs evenly into the pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
07 - Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, until cheese is golden and sauce is bubbling.
09 - Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one dish so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The meatballs stay incredibly tender since they finish cooking in the sauce
- This feeds a crowd and tastes even better as leftovers the next day
02 -
- Do not skip the step of browning the meatballs first, this creates depth of flavor you cannot get from baking alone
- Undercooking the pasta by 2 minutes is crucial or you will end up with mush
- The resting period is not optional if you want clean servings instead of a messy scoop
03 -
- Do not crowd the pan when browning meatballs or they will steam instead of sear
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly and prevent the meatballs from separating