This comforting Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake is perfect for any night of the week. Made with homemade meatballs and pasta sauce, this pasta bake is a family favorite that is always hits the spot.
When it comes to comfort food, pasta is at the top of my list, right next to Classic Beef Roast. I love just about anything with pasta, and when combined with tender, flavor meatballs and tons of cheese, who can resist.
If it were up to my oldest son, he would put meatballs in just about anything. While meatballs may not fit in every dish, they certainly belong in this cheesy pasta bake.
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Key Ingredients
Ground Beef - I use 80/20 for this recipe, but feel free to use what you prefer.
Breadcrumbs - The breadcrumbs help to "bind" the meatballs so that they do not fall apart.
Cheese - Both parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese are needed for this recipe. Freshly shredded is best.
Egg - The egg also helps "bind" the meatballs.
Diced Tomatoes - I prefer petite diced tomatoes in my pasta sauces but feel free to use whatever you have.
Pasta - For this recipe I used mini penne pasta. However, any pasta shape will work. I often use fusilli pasta, regular penne pasta or rotini pasta for this pasta bake.
How To Make Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
Step 1 Make the meatballs. Mix together the meatball ingredients, portion into 25 equal portions.
Step 2 Cook the meatballs. Brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set on a paper towel lined plate. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
Step 3 Cook pasta to al dente. Drain and set aside until needed.
Step 4 Make pasta sauce. Sauté the onion sin the reserved fat. Once tender add in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the remaining pasta sauce ingredients and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Step 5 Assemble cheesy meatball pasta bake. Add the meatballs and pasta to the pasta sauce. Stir to fully combine. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and top with shredded cheeses.
Step 6 Bake. Place in a 350°F for 30-45 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Enjoy!
How To Cook Meatballs
You can cook the meatballs two different ways.
Stove Top Meatballs - In a skillet over medium heat brown the meatballs on all sides. Don't fully cook the meatballs here, just brown them. They will continue cooking in the oven.
Oven Baked Meatballs - To bake the meatballs in the oven simply place them on a parchment lined baking sheet after rolling them. Place in an 375° F and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and continue with the recipe.
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📖 Recipe
Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons parsley fresh or dried
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
Pasta Sauce
- ½ large onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 29 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- To Taste pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
Other Ingredients
- 10 ounces mini penne pasta or your choice
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients. Mix well to combine.
- Portion into 25 equal meatballs.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and place on a paper-towel lined plate.
- Pour off the fat left in the skillet, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Reduce heat to medium.
Pasta Sauce
- Add the onions to the skillet and sauté until tender. Next add in the minced garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
- Now pour in the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano and basil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- While the sauce is simmering cook the pasta to al dente and preheat an oven to 375°F.
- Once the pasta sauce is done simmering, mix in the pasta and meatballs. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and cover with the cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Tiffany says
This is a perfect weeknight dinner for my family! My kids love eating it and me and my husband love it too! Thanks!
Lauren says
My kids devoured this meatball bake! They've already requested that I make it again - great recipe!
Sky Pilgreen says
My kiddos love this meatball bake too! So glad y'all like it!
Kelley says
This was delicious! Pure comfort food! Will be on our weekly dinner rotation now.
Sky Pilgreen says
Oh, that's wonderful to hear!
julia says
this was so delicious, the pasta sauce is something out of this world!
Angela says
Love this! My kids went crazy for this pasta dish. Definitely adding this to my dinner rotation. YUM!
Charla says
Made this last week only using dairy free cheese as a sub and it was delish.
Andrea says
What marvelous flavors in this hearty and comforting pasta bake. My family are going to go crazy for it.
Chenee says
OOH this looks so good! I bet the kids would love it too!
suja md says
Amazing recipe, Enjoyed it thoroughly.
Sky Pilgreen says
Thank you!
Dana says
This is so tasty! We stuffed ours into hoagies for meatball subs and it was perfect.
Sky Pilgreen says
Oh, that sounds delicious!