There is something irresistible about a bubbling dish of baked pasta covered with melted cheese and topped with beautifully browned meatballs. This Ultimate Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake combines everything you want in a comforting family dinner: tender pasta, juicy meatballs, rich tomato sauce, creamy melted cheese, and plenty of golden, crispy edges.
It is hearty enough for a hungry family, simple enough for a weeknight meal, and delicious enough to serve when you have guests.
The best part is that most of the preparation can be done ahead of time. Once everything is assembled in the baking dish, the oven does the rest of the work.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta bake is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table.
The pasta absorbs some of the tomato sauce while baking, the cheese melts into all the little spaces between the noodles, and the meatballs develop a delicious browned exterior.
Every serving gives you a combination of creamy, cheesy pasta and savory meatball.
It’s Comfort Food at Its Best
There’s no complicated presentation required.
Simply scoop the baked pasta onto plates and serve it hot.
The golden cheese, browned meatballs, tomato sauce, and tender pasta make the dish look impressive without requiring professional cooking skills.
Great for Families
The recipe can easily be increased when you’re feeding a crowd.
It’s also an excellent way to use homemade meatballs or good-quality prepared meatballs when you don’t have time to make them from scratch.
Perfect for Leftovers
This pasta bake reheats beautifully.
In fact, many people find that the flavors become even better after resting overnight because the sauce has more time to mingle with the pasta and meatballs.
Ingredients
For approximately 6–8 servings, you’ll need:
For the Meatballs
1 pound (450 g) ground beef
1/2 pound (225 g) ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
You can use all beef if you prefer.
Ground turkey or chicken can also be used, although the flavor and texture will be somewhat lighter.
For the Pasta Bake
12 ounces (340 g) short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini
3 cups tomato pasta sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 cup shredded cheddar or Italian cheese blend
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley for garnish
The exact amount of cheese can be adjusted according to how cheesy you want the finished dish.
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place the ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl.
Add the breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon until everything is evenly combined.
Don’t overmix the meat.
Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs dense rather than tender.
Once combined, shape the mixture into meatballs approximately 1½ inches (4 cm) in diameter.
Try to make them similar in size so they cook evenly.
