✨ Introduction
This comforting and hearty dish combines juicy meatballs 🍖, tender pasta 🍝, and rich melted cheese 🧀 into a baked casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or cozy nights in. 💕
🧂 Ingredients
- 🥩 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 🍞 ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 🧀 ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 🥚 1 large egg
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 🍝 2 cups pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 🍅 2 cups marinara sauce
- 🧀 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 🌿 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 🫒 1 tbsp olive oil
- 🧂 Salt and pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- 🔥 Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 🥣 In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form into meatballs.
- 🍳 Heat olive oil in a pan. Brown meatballs on all sides, then set aside.
- 🍝 Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and return to pot.
- 🥘 Mix pasta with marinara sauce and half the mozzarella. Place in a greased baking dish.
- 🍖 Arrange meatballs on top. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over everything.
- 🧀 Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving.
🔄 Methods
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Add chopped spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Swap marinara for Alfredo or pesto for a twist.
- Make it spicy with chili flakes or hot sauce.
📚 History
This dish blends Italian-American traditions 🇮🇹🇺🇸, inspired by classic spaghetti and meatballs, baked into a cheesy casserole loved across generations.
💪 Benefits
- 🥩 High protein from meatballs
- 🧀 Calcium from cheese
- 🍅 Lycopene from tomato sauce
- 🍝 Energy from pasta
🎨 Formation
Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh basil 🌿 or parsley 🌱. Pair with garlic bread 🥖 and a green salad 🥗 for a complete meal.
✅ Conclusion
Meatball Pasta Bake is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make, rich in flavor, and perfect for sharing. 🍽️
❤️ Lovers
- 👨👩👧👦 Families
- 🧀 Cheese lovers
- 🍝 Pasta fans
- 🏋️ Athletes needing hearty meals
- 🛋️ Anyone craving comfort food