Scrumptious Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe for Cozy Nights

Craving a mouthwatering cheesy meatball pasta bake that’ll make everyone at the table cheer?

Comfort food meets gourmet magic in this crowd-pleasing dish packed with flavor and warmth.

Juicy meatballs nestle between perfectly cooked pasta, blanketed in a rich, melting cheese sauce.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers pure deliciousness.

Robust Italian herbs and a golden, crispy top elevate this classic comfort meal to new heights.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, promising a satisfying dinner that feels like a culinary hug.

You’ll want seconds – maybe even thirds – of this irresistible pasta masterpiece.

Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake Full of Flavor

• Create Hearty Comfort: Dive into a rich, satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table with minimal cooking stress.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients or adding vegetables to suit your family's taste preferences and nutritional needs.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with cheesy goodness and tender meatballs, this dish guarantees smiles from both children and adults around the table.
• One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with a single baking dish that transforms basic ingredients into a delicious, complete meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients for Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein base that provides richness and texture to the dish.
• Breadcrumbs: Help bind the meatballs and create a tender, cohesive mixture.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent to hold the meatball ingredients together.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory depth and helps with meatball consistency.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the meatballs.

• Onion, Garlic, Celery, Carrot: Create a flavorful aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Herbes de Provence: Provide a classic Mediterranean herb blend for depth.
• Tomato Puree: Intensifies the tomato flavor and adds richness.

• Plum Tomatoes: Offer a fresh, slightly sweet tomato base for the sauce.
• Passata: Provides a smooth, concentrated tomato background.
• Maple Syrup: Balances the acidity and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Chicken Stock: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce.

• Pasta: The hearty base that absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese: Create a golden, melty topping with rich flavor.

Baking Instructions for Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

Step 1: Prepare Meatball Mixture

Mix ground meat with herbs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Work the ingredients gently with your hands to create a uniform blend without overworking the meat.

• Ground meat
• Breadcrumbs
• Herbs
• Seasonings
• Egg

Step 2: Shape Delicious Meatballs

Lightly coat your hands with oil to prevent sticking. Roll the meat mixture into uniform round balls, ensuring each meatball is approximately the same size for even cooking.

Step 3: Initial Meatball Roasting

Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven until they develop a golden exterior and are partially cooked through.

Step 4: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

Sauté aromatic vegetables in a large skillet until soft and translucent.

• Onions
• Garlic
• Celery
• Carrots

Step 5: Build Robust Tomato Base

Add tomato products and seasonings to create a rich, complex sauce.

Stir in herbs and a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors.

• Plum tomatoes
• Tomato passata
• Herbes de Provence
• Maple syrup

Step 6: Combine Meatballs and Sauce

Gently add partially roasted meatballs into the simmering sauce.

Allow them to finish cooking and absorb the sauce’s incredible flavors.

Step 7: Prepare Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until it reaches perfect al dente texture.

Drain and set aside.

Step 8: Assemble Cheesy Bake

Layer cooked pasta and meatball sauce in a large baking dish.

Top generously with a blend of cheeses.

• Mozzarella
• Cheddar cheese

Step 9: Final Baking

Return the dish to the oven, baking until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly topping.

The result will be a mouthwatering, comforting meal that brings everyone to the table.

Tips to Perfect Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

• Roll meatballs gently and uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and attractive presentation, preventing some from burning while others remain undercooked.
• Simmer sauce uncovered to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors, creating a rich and clingy texture that coats pasta perfectly.
• Mix mozzarella and cheddar for balanced flavor – mozzarella provides stretch while cheddar adds sharp, tangy notes to the dish.
• Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, as it continues cooking in the oven with sauce and cheese.
• Add maple syrup to balance tomato acidity and enhance sauce depth, creating a more complex and rounded flavor profile.

Variations on Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

• Vegetarian Lentil Meatball Pasta: Replace ground meat with cooked green lentils, breadcrumbs, and finely chopped mushrooms for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Spicy Mexican Meatball Pasta: Add chili powder, cumin, and jalapeños to the meatball mixture. Top with pepper jack cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor.
• Mediterranean Lamb Meatball Pasta: Swap beef for ground lamb, mix in mint, oregano, and feta cheese. Finish with a dollop of tzatziki sauce for authentic Greek-inspired taste.
• Gluten-Free Chicken Meatball Pasta: Use ground chicken, gluten-free breadcrumbs, and almond flour. Swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.

Pairings That Match Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

• Perfect Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato sauce and cuts through the cheesy, meaty flavors with its balanced acidity.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Craft a sparkling blood orange spritzer with fresh citrus juice, soda water, and a touch of rosemary to brighten the hearty pasta dish and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Balanced Side Salad: Prepare a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, shaved parmesan, and toasted pine nuts to provide a light, zesty contrast to the heavy, comforting meatball pasta bake.

Proper Storage for Meatball Pasta Bake

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Transfer the pasta bake to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the cheese.

Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval.

FAQs

• Are meatballs safe to eat after 10 minutes of baking?

Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160F to be safe. Using a meat thermometer ensures they are fully cooked and safe to consume.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent alternative. Just ensure the meat has enough fat content to keep meatballs moist and flavorful. Lean meats can make meatballs dry.

• How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart?

Mix ingredients thoroughly and avoid overworking the meat. Chilling the mixture for 15-20 minutes before shaping helps bind ingredients and maintain shape during cooking.

Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets culinary delight in this cheesy meatball pasta bake, where hearty Italian-inspired flavors meld perfectly with creamy melted cheese. Rich marinara sauce and golden-brown meatballs nestled among tender pasta promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 12 meatballs

Pasta and Base:

• 250 grams (9 ounces) uncooked fusilli pasta
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 5 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 grams plum tomatoes
• 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) passata
• 240 milliliters (1 cup) chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons herbs de provence
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• 60 grams (2 ounces) mozzarella, freshly grated
• 60 grams (2 ounces) cheddar, freshly grated
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Additional:

• Olive oil spray

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 200C (180C fan), 400F, or Gas Mark 6 for initial meatball preparation.
2. Mix all meatball ingredients thoroughly in a mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of components.
3. Lightly oil hands and craft 16 uniform meatballs, maintaining consistent size for even cooking.
4. Arrange meatballs on parchment-lined baking tray and roast for 10 minutes until partially cooked.
5. In a skillet, sauté diced onion, garlic, celery, and carrot with olive oil spray for 6-8 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
6. Introduce Herbes de Provence, stirring in tomato puree until ingredients meld together smoothly.
7. Crush plum tomatoes directly into the pan, incorporating passata, maple syrup, and chicken stock. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to gentle simmer.
8. Nestle pre-roasted meatballs into sauce, allowing them to simmer for 10-12 minutes and absorb flavors.
9. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
10. Transfer pasta into a large baking dish, covering with meatball sauce mixture.
11. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar across the top, creating a complete cheese coverage.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.

Notes

• Use lean ground meat like turkey or chicken for a healthier version of the meatballs, reducing overall fat content while maintaining protein.
• Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate different dietary needs and increase nutritional value.
• Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the sauce for increased nutrients and hidden veggie boost for picky eaters.
• Consider reducing cheese quantity or using low-fat cheese alternatives for those watching calorie intake or managing cholesterol levels.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 253 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg