Description
This Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food—a hearty dish of juicy meatballs, tender pasta, and a rich tomato-based sauce, all baked under a gooey layer of melted mozzarella. It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s simple to prepare and sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tsp sunflower oil
- 340 g (12 oz) meatballs
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
- 300 g (11 oz) mushrooms, sliced
- 400 g (14.5 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
- 750 ml (3.25 cups) vegetable stock
- 4 tbsp tomato puree
- 250 g (9 oz) pasta
- 150 g (5 oz) mozzarella, shredded
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat sunflower oil in a large oven-safe pan over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened and fragrant.
- Add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes, chilli flakes, smoked paprika, vegetable stock, and tomato puree. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water for half the time stated on the package (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain well.
- Add the meatballs and partially cooked pasta to the sauce, mixing until well coated.
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Transfer pan to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden edges.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use store-bought or homemade meatballs depending on preference.
- Try swapping mozzarella with cheddar or a mix of cheeses for extra flavor.
- For a spicier version, add more chilli flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: meatball pasta bake, baked pasta with meatballs, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food, Italian pasta recipe