Description
This Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake is a comforting Italian-American casserole perfect for family dinners. Featuring tender pasta, savory meatballs, and a rich marinara sauce topped with bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it’s an easy-to-make baked dish that combines hearty flavors and gooey textures for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Meat and Cheese
- 1 pound cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen and thawed)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions so it remains slightly undercooked. Drain and set aside as it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked meatballs and drained pasta to the sauce. Gently stir to combine all components evenly.
- Assemble Bake: Pour the pasta and meatball mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes out of the oven before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired to add a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated unbaked for up to 24 hours to save time on busy days.
- For a lighter version, substitute turkey or plant-based meatballs in place of traditional meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
