Description
This Easy Meatball Pasta Bake is the perfect comfort food! Combining savory meatballs, creamy sauce, and gooey mozzarella all baked together with pasta for a satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
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- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2/3 cup white cooking wine
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 (18-oz.) bag frozen bite-size meatballs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8–10 fresh basil leaves, julienned or roughly chopped, divided
- 16 oz. box medium shell pasta
- 8 oz. ball fresh mozzarella, sliced and then torn in half
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Pour in the white cooking wine and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the wine has reduced slightly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- While the sauce simmers, heat the frozen meatballs according to package instructions, either by baking or pan-frying them.
- Stir the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese into the sauce, then add the cooked meatballs and half of the fresh basil leaves. Stir to combine, and then gently mix in the cooked pasta.
- Transfer the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with sliced fresh mozzarella, spreading the pieces evenly over the pasta and meatball mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining basil leaves before serving. Enjoy your Easy Meatball Pasta Bake!
Notes
- For a slightly spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Feel free to substitute the meatballs with homemade ones if preferred.
- This recipe can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg