Not a fan of spinach? Well, wait until you try our casserole. Our spinach & meatball casserole bake is enough to change the pickiest eater’s mind and mouth. The savory creamed spinach, along with juicy meatballs and hearty pasta triangulate into pure food heaven. The casserole’s creamy sauce adds a delightful richness, while the Parmesan brings a slightly tangy cheese layer to the party. This is a true family meal that is guaranteed to win over even spinach skeptics!

How to Make Your Spinach & Meatball Pasta Bake a Success

Hungry? Let’s not keep you waiting. For our spinach & meatball pasta bake, you’ll be falling on to some items that are probably on hand like onion, garlic, your favorite pasta, breadcrumbs, an egg, and spices. This recipe also calls for some all stars, such as ground beef, frozen creamed spinach, and heavy cream (yes, this is a double cream recipe, buckle up)!

To make the meatballs, mix ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, spices, and sautéed garlic and onions. Shape the mixture into balls and fry them until golden and crispy. For the sauce, heat the creamed spinach and stir in heavy cream. Season with pepper and spices to taste, creating a rich and creamy complement to the crispy meatballs. Finally, mix the pasta with the sauce in a baking dish, spread the meatballs on top, and sprinkle everything with some cheese for a delicious layer to the whole affair. Pop your casserole in the oven for only twenty minutes and you and your casserole are ready to go.

Love variety on your plate? Then try some exciting variations of this casserole! Whether you want to intensify the flavor even more or swap out ingredients as you please, we have a few ideas ready for you.

First things first: This recipe also works as a vegan or vegetarian dish. Instead of regular meat and dairy, you can simply use a plant-based alternatives. Just as well, our meatballs can also be made with lentils.

You can also get creative with the pasta: Gnocchi or tortellini will make this recipe even heartier. And if you want to make this dish low-carb, chickpea or lentil-based pasta will do the trick.

You can switch it up with different cheeses: mozzarella or gouda will make your spinach and meatball pasta bake extra creamy, while sharp cheddar or a Devil Wears Prada-worthy Jarlsberg will add an edge.

On Scrumdiddlyumptious you’ll find many more casserole recipes that are easy to prepare and delicious, like our BBQ chicken casserole, chicken & carrot casserole and our cheesy bacon & bratwurst.

SPINACH & MEATBALL PASTA BAKE

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

1.1 lbs pasta (e.g. spaghetti, penne rigate, or fusilli)
1 onion
1 clove garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
8.8 oz ground beef (or mixed ground meat)
1 egg
1 tbsp breadcrumbs
¹/₂ tsp paprika powder
Salt and pepper to taste
17.6 oz frozen creamed spinach
1 cup heavy cream
¹/₂ tsp ground nutmeg
3.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta in it according to package directions until al dente – Keep in mind that the pasta will keep cooking in the oven! Drain and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and sauté both until translucent.
Preheat the oven to 390°F (conventional) or 350°F (convection).
In a bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, breadcrumps with your paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic. Form the mixture into small meatballs.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a pan and fry the meatballs until crispy on all sides.
Meanwhile, dethaw the spinach in a saucepan. Stir in the heavy cream and then season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Place the pasta and spinach sauce in a baking dish and mix well. Spread the meatballs on top of the pasta and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake the spinach and meatball pasta bake for 20 minutes.