Meatball Pasta Bake
- 1 hr
- Serves 6
- 14 ingredients
25 minutes to prep, 35 to cook. A hearty and satisfying meatball pasta bake featuring homemade meatballs, al dente pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
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Method
Preheat the oven to 400°F (400°F).
Prepare the meat mixture by combining 500g of ground meat, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 egg, salt, pepper, and Joes Pasta Buddy in a large bowl. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon until just combined.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The meat mixture just holds together without becoming dense. Stop mixing once the ingredients are evenly combined.
Form the meatballs by placing a small amount of the meat mixture onto each cured pork slice and rolling them up. You should end up with around 20-25 meatballs.
Prepare the sauce by combining 500ml of beef broth, 4-5 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1-2 tablespoons of fresh cheese, and 200ml of heavy cream in a large saucepan. Add salt, pepper, and Bolognese sauce to taste. Mix well over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce is smooth and heated through before it goes into the dish.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Assemble the pasta bake by layering half of the cooked pasta, half of the meatballs, and half of the sauce in a large baking dish. Repeat the layers, starting with the remaining pasta, then the remaining meatballs, and finally the remaining sauce.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and top the pasta bake with grated mozzarella cheese.
Return the pasta bake to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The cheese is golden in spots and the sauce bubbles around the edges.
Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The layers settle slightly as the bake rests, making it easier to serve.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips while you cook
- Preheat Oven First
- Set the oven to 200 °C (400 °F) before you start assembling the bake.
- Form Consistent Meatballs
- Place a small amount of meat mixture on each cured pork slice and roll to yield about 20‑25 meatballs.
- Rest Before Serving
- Allow the baked dish to sit for 5‑10 minutes after removing it from the oven.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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The recipe comes from Joe's Kinderrezepte’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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