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Close up of a meatball being removed from an individual cheesy meatball pasta with a fork.
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Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

A pasta bake is such a comforting recipe, and this beef meatball pasta bake is gloriously tasty, cheesy and very comforting!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Modern European
Keyword baked penne and meatballs, beef meatball pasta bake, cheesy meatball pasta bake, meatball pasta bake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 830kcal
Author Brian Jones

Ingredients

For The Meatballs:

  • 250 g Minced Beef 9oz
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 25 g Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil 2-3 tablespoon
  • 10 g Dried Bread Crumbs 2 tablespoon
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • Spray Oil

For The Sauce:

  • 250 ml Tomato Passata 1 Cup
  • 125 ml Beef Stock ½ Cup
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (The oil from the sun dried tomatoes is best)
  • 1 Pinch Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Basil
  • ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley
  • Salt to taste

And The Rest:

  • 150 g Penne Pasta ~1⅓ Cup
  • 75 g Gruyere Cheese ¾ Cup

Instructions

  • Bring a 20cm or 8" saucepan of salted water (1½ teaspoons in a pan this size) to the boil and cook the pasta until it is al dente.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 1 of 19
  • Chop the sun-dried tomatoes into a 2-3mm (⅛) dice.
  • Mash the garlic cloves for the meatballs.
  • Add all of the ingredients for the meatballs to a bowl and mix well.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 4 of 19
  • Form this mix into 12-14 meatballs approximately 25mm (1") in diameter.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 5 of 19
  • Spray the meatballs and bake in a fan-assisted oven at 200°C or 400°F for 10 minutes. 220°C or 450°F in a conventional oven. You can also do this in an air fryer at 200°C or 400°F for 7-8 minutes.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 6 of 19
  • Heat a 25cm or 10" frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat, and when it's hot, add the cooking oil for the sauce. Crush the garlic cloves with the heel of your hand, add them to the oil in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 8 of 19
  • Pour in the beef stock for the sauce and reduce it by half.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 10 of 19
  • Add the tomato passata followed by the dried oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, and a pinch of sugar. Have a taste and season with salt to your liking, remember we are adding lots of cheese!
    Reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes then remove the garlic cloves.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 13 of 19
  • By now, all of the elements should be cooked; combine them in the pan with the sauce.
    I like to divide this mix into two gratin dishes to create individual portions. But you can leave it in the pan if you wish.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 17 of 19
  • Grate and sprinkle over the cheese and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 180°C or 350°F.
    Meatball Pasta Bake process shots 19 of 19
  • Add lots of fresh basil if you can get some before serving.

Video

Notes

Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes works exceptionally well in this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 830kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 232mg | Sodium: 1103mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 6g
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