Description
Meatball Pasta Bake is a comforting casserole that brings together tender pasta, savory meatballs, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to perfection. Bursting with rich marinara sauce and vibrant layers, this dish is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s guaranteed to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs.
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and toss with olive oil.
- Layer half of the marinara sauce in the baking dish, followed by half of the cooked pasta and half of the meatballs. Repeat layers.
- Top with spinach and shredded cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg