Meatball Pasta Bake

Written By Daniella Mendicino

If you haven’t tried this, then what are you waiting for?!

There is something about these mini meatballs baked with pasta and loads of cheese, every bite is amazing!!!

With this kind of recipe, I’m going to say add as much cheese as you like (and if you’re like me, thats a lot!) but its worth it.

I’m not sure what it is about baking a pasta, but it just takes the dish to the next level, I mean just looking at the picture to my right is making me hungry!

This is a dish your whole family will love, perfect for a Sunday night when you have a little bit more time to prepare. Serve with a side salad and enjoy!

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Prep Time: 30min

Cooking Time: 1.5 hrs

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

Sauce:

  • Olive oil 

  • 4 garlic cloves

  • dried Italian herbs 

  • 1 bottle of passata

  • 1 can of San marzano tomatoes (sub mutti crushed tomatoes) 

  • 1 TBS brown sugar

  • 1 TBS tomato paste 

  • Salt and pepper to taste 

  • Fresh basil 

Pasta Bake:

  • 1 x quantity of my meatballs, rolled slightly smaller than usual

  • Pasta of choice - I used Barilla Tortiglioni

  • Ricotta

  • Grated parmesan 

  • Grated mozzarella 

     

Method: 

Follow my meatball recipe in my highlights, make the meatballs slightly smaller than usual 

In a large pot, over a medium heat, heat about 3 TBS olive oil and add the garlic and Italian herbs

Fry off for a few minutes

Add in the passata and tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar and salt.

Stir until combined and bring to a simmer 

Once simmering, add in the meatballs ensuring they are covered by sauce

Cook for a minimum of 40 mins - 1 hour on a low heat. The longer you cook them the better! 

Preheat your oven to 180c 

Cook your pasta as per packet instructions in salted water, but take about 2 minutes off the cooking time. 

In a lasagne dish, add some pasta sauce on the base then add some pasta and meatballs, stir until combined. Add some ricotta throughout

Repeat this step until the tray is full and then cover with remaining sauce and meatballs 

Top with grated mozzarella and Parmesan and bake for 20 mins until melted and the cheese starts to go golden.

Serve and enjoy! 

Daniella Mendicino
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