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Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

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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:

  1. Olive oil spray
  2. 1 onion, finely diced
  3. 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  4. 1 carrot, finely diced
  5. 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  6. 2 teaspoons Herbs de Provence (or Italian seasoning)
  7. 5 tablespoons tomato paste (puree)
  8. 400g plum tomatoes (San Marzano are best)
  9. ½ cup (120g) passata
  10. 1 cup (240ml) chicken stock
  11. 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or granulated sweetener)
  12. 250g (9oz) uncooked fusilli pasta (or any shape you prefer)
  13. 60g (2oz) mozzarella, freshly grated or torn pieces
  14. 60g (2oz) cheddar, freshly grated
  15. Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Meatballs:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, or Gas Mark 6.
  2. Combine all ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl.
  3. Lightly spray your hands with oil and form the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs.
  4. Place the meatballs on a tray lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and set aside.

For the Pasta Bake:

  1. Spray a frying pan with olive oil spray. Add the diced onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Fry for 6-8 minutes until softened.
  2. Sprinkle in the Herbes de Provence (or Italian seasoning). Add the tomato puree and stir until combined.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce is rich and thick.
  5. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, or Gas Mark 6.
  6. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain.
  7. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and meatball sauce mixture.
  8. 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

Find it online: https://grandmarecipesflash.com/cheesy-meatball-pasta-bake/