You are going to love this cheesy meatball pasta bake recipe that is a perfect family meal. There is just something so yummy about macaroni and meatballs smothered in sauce and cheese that makes an almost perfect meal. Read on to find out how to prepare this comforting dish.
Easy Cheesy Pasta Meatball Casserole Recipe
This wonderful cheesy meatball casserole is all about comfort! The simple homemade sauce is delicious, and it is likely you already have all the ingredients in your pantry. Enjoy!
Why we LOVE this Meatball Casserole with Pasta and Cheese
This pasta casserole recipe is filled with our favorite ingredients such as warm cooked pasta, pasta sauce, meatballs and lots of Mozzarella cheese. Leftovers are just as good as the first day and can be eaten for a quick lunch or another meal.
If you are in a pinch for time, just use your favorite frozen meatballs.
Ingredients Needed for Cheesy Pasta Bake
- Ground beef – lean ground beef
- Small pasta – such as small elbows, ditalini or small shells
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Garlic cloves
- Bottle of passata or tomato puree
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated parmesan
- Egg – organic eggs if possible
- Dried oregano and dried basil
- Fresh parsley
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – shred your own cheese to save money
How to Make a Pasta and Meatball Casserole
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add passata and let the sauce simmer for 6-8 minutes.
Step 3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente, 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions.
Step 4. Drain the pasta and return to the cooking pot. Add one-third of the tomato sauce to the pasta and stir to evenly coat pasta. Transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish.
Step 5. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, oregano, basil, and one-half of the fresh parsley.
Step 6. Generously season with salt and pepper and begin working the mixture with your hands. Mix just until everything is combined, but don’t overwork the meatball mixture. Roll into 14-16 meatballs and place the meatballs on top of the pasta layer.
Step 7. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the meatballs. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Step 8. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and is golden-brown.
Step 9. Serve garnished with the remaining fresh parsley. Enjoy!
We love tender macaroni in red sauce covered with cheese. It’s one of our favorite “go to” dinners. If you find yourself without any time to cook and you love pasta, make our Spaghetti and Frozen Meatballs for a super quick dinner.
Family Style Cheesy Meatball Pasta Casserole
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 10 oz. small macaroni such as elbows ditalini or small shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion divided - one-half diced and one-half grated
- 2 small carrots diced
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 24.5 oz. bottle passata or tomato puree
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup fresh parsley roughly chopped, divided
- 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
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Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
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Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
-
Add passata and let the sauce simmer for 6-8 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook al dente, 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions.
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Drain the pasta and return to the cooking pot. Add one-third of the tomato sauce to the pasta and stir to evenly coat pasta. Transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish.
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In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, oregano, basil, and one-half of the fresh parsley.
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Generously season with salt and pepper and begin working the mixture with your hands. Mix just until everything is combined, but don’t overwork the meatball mixture. Roll into 14-16 meatballs and place the meatballs on top of the pasta layer.
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Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the meatballs. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and place in the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes, just until the cheese has melted and is golden-brown.
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Serve garnished with the remaining fresh parsley. Enjoy!
What to Serve with This Delicious Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
- Garlic Toast
- Basic Tossed Salad with lots of diced veggies
- Glass of your Favorite Wine
How to Store Leftover Pasta: Store leftover Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Family Favorite Dinner – Warm and Cheesy Pasta with Sauce!
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Easy Hamburger and Macaroni Soup for another comforting dinner
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