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Our Meatball Pasta Bake: A Simple Recipe for Success

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Try this pasta bake with meatballs that’s perfect for satisfying the whole family.

Pasta bake with meatballs in a round baking dish.
© Midourney: This image was created using AI.

9 Hearty Casseroles

We’re treating ourselves to a real comfort food tonight: Our meatball pasta bake. What can we say? It makes cool days a little warmer and is a cozy treat any day! Rain or shine, you’ve got to try our recipe!

Our Meatball Pasta Bake Will Please the Whole (Chosen) Family

When you have to feed a whole gang after an exciting day, our pasta bake with meatballs is just what you need. Besides the meatballs, healthy vegetables like broccoli or flavorful bell peppers, are a must. Suffice to say, this recipe is ideal if you want to sneak some greens onto the little ones’ plates.

To make this bake, start with ground beef. Mix it with chopped onion and season it with salt and pepper. Use this mixture to form small meatballs and then fry them evenly. Meanwhile, boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Do make sure to shorten the cooking time by a few minutes, as the noodles will continue cooking in the oven.

Now let’s take care of the vegetables. We decided on broccoli and bell peppers, but the our meatball pasta bake does just as well with a medley of your favorite vegetables. Whatever you’re choosing, cut them into small pieces and fry them as well. Mix in the tomatoes to make the sauce and then season with salt and pepper and some sugar to taste.

Now add the pasta and meatballs to a baking dish. Pour the tomato sauce over it, top with mozarella and send the whole thing into the oven. You’ll know your dish is baking well as your house is peppered with its delicious aroma! The whole table will be ready to eat, and thankfully the dish need only bake for 20 minutes. Once golden and bubbly, you’ll know its ready!

At Scrumdiddlyumptious, we’re big fans of bakes! We also love our macaroni bolognese casserole for heartier nights. But our lighter zucchini casserole with cottage cheese and leek & salmon casserole will also please!

MEATBALL PASTA BAKE

  • Prep time: 35 min
  • Cook time: 20 min
  • Total time: 55 min

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 onions
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Butter, for greasing and frying
  • 1 lb of favorite pasta
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 medium bell pepper
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes
  • A pinch of sugar
  • 1 cup mozzarella
  • Grated Parmesan to taste, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Peel and finely chop the onion. Mix half of the onions with the ground beef. Season with with salt and pepper. Roll the mix into small meatballs.
  2. Heat butter in a pan and fry the meatballs evenly.
  3. Cook the pasta in salted water using package instructions. Shorten the cooking time by 3-5 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, wash the broccoli and cut it into small florets. Peel off the tough, woody parts from the stem and chop the stem into small pieces. Wash the bell pepper, remove the seeds, and dice.
  5. Sauté the remaining onion pieces and add the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Add the canned tomatoes. Let everything simmer for a few minutes and finally season once more with salt, pepper and sugar to taste.
  6. Pour the noodles and meatballs into a greased baking dish. Pour the vegetable sauce on top. Evenly spread mozarella on top.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
  8. Before serving, sprinkle some Parmesan, if desired.