Description
This Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake is a comforting, hearty dish featuring perfectly seasoned homemade meatballs, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce. It’s a perfect family meal, packed with flavor and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 450g (1lb) extra lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh finely chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (granules)
- Pinch of chili flakes
- 30g (1oz) breadcrumbs
- 1 medium egg
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For the Pasta Bake:
- Olive oil spray
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence (or Italian seasoning)
- 5 tablespoons tomato paste (puree)
- 400g plum tomatoes (San Marzano are best)
- ½ cup (120g) passata
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or granulated sweetener)
- 250g (9oz) uncooked fusilli pasta (or any shape you prefer)
- 60g (2oz) mozzarella, freshly grated or torn pieces
- 60g (2oz) cheddar, freshly grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Meatballs:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, or Gas Mark 6.
- Combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl.
- Lightly spray your hands with oil and form the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs.
- Place the meatballs on a tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and set aside.
For the Pasta Bake:
- Spray a frying pan with olive oil spray. Add the diced onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Fry for 6-8 minutes until softened.
- Sprinkle in the Herbes de Provence (or Italian seasoning). Add the tomato puree and stir until combined.
- Add the plum tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in passata, maple syrup, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce is rich and thick.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, or Gas Mark 6.
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meatball sauce mixture.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar over the top and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is golden and melted.
Notes
- You can sprinkle the top with finely chopped parsley and black pepper for extra flavor.
- Feel free to substitute any other pasta shape you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg