Baked Meatballs and Pasta

Dive into comfort food bliss with this Baked Meatballs and Pasta recipe, a hearty, family-friendly dish that's perfect for any weeknight or special gathering. Featuring tender, homemade meatballs made with a perfectly balanced blend of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices, this dish is layered with al dente pasta, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. The meatballs are lightly browned for extra flavor before being nestled into the pasta and baked to perfection, creating a bubbling, golden-cheese topping that’s irresistible. Ready in just an hour and generously serving four, this easy baked pasta recipe is a one-dish meal that pairs beautifully with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete, satisfying dinner. Ideal for those searching for kid-approved dinner ideas or comforting baked pasta recipes, it's a must-try that’s as easy as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g Ground beef
• 250 g Ground pork
• 100 g Breadcrumbs
• 50 g Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 400 g Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 700 ml Marinara sauce
• 200 g Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3

Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate or tray and set aside.

Step 4

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides (about 2 minutes per side). They do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside.

Step 5

While the meatballs are browning, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until just shy of al dente (the pasta will cook further in the oven). Drain and set aside.

Step 6

In a large baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce across the bottom. Add the cooked pasta and spread it out evenly. Nestle the browned meatballs on top of the pasta and pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs and pasta.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and slightly golden brown.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1231 grams (1231.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2822

Total Fat 179.20g	230%
Saturated Fat 61.60g	308%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.40g
Cholesterol 775mg	258%
Sodium 590mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 125.40g	46%
Dietary Fiber 7.80g	28%
Total Sugars 4.50g
Protein 177.60g	355%

Vitamin D 48IU	240%
Calcium 181mg	14%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 1464mg	31%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.1%

Protein: 25.1%

Carbs: 17.8%