If you're looking for a meal that the whole family will demolish, this Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake is just the thing! Smoky Meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce, baked together with rigatoni pasta and topped with lots of bubbling melted cheese.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Any Time Of the year, Family Meal, pasta bake
80g(3/4 cup) grated Cheddar cheeseCiara uses 40g, but we like lots of cheese
30g(1/4 cup + 1 tsp) grated mozzarella
salt and pepper to taste
chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200C/400F (fan).
Start by making the meatballs. Place the minced beef, shallot, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, dried herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl and mix together to combine.
500 g (17.5 oz) minced beef, 1 shallot, 1 garlic clove, 60 g (1 cup + 1 tbsp) breadcrumbs, 1 medium egg, 1 tsp Italian dried herbs, salt and pepper to taste
Lightly grease a large baking dish with the vegetable oil, then form the mince mixture into 12 meatballs (about the size of a golf ball). Place in the prepared baking dish.
1 tsp vegetable oil
Place the meatballs in the oven and cook for 15 minutes until browned.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the pack instructions (usually boil in plenty of water for approx 12-14 minutes). Drain the pasta once cooked.
250 g (8.8 oz) dried pasta
Make the smoky sauce by mixing the tinned tomatoes/passata, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper together in a jug or bowl.
400 g (14 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes or passata, 75 ml (1/3 cup minus 1 tsp) beef stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, salt and pepper to taste
Remove the meatballs from the oven. Nestle the cooked pasta in between the meatballs (I like to leave some bits of pasta sticking up to get a few crunchy bits) and pour over the sauce.
Sprinkle on the cheddar and mozzarella and place bake in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and started bubbling.
80 g (3/4 cup) grated Cheddar cheese, 30 g (1/4 cup + 1 tsp) grated mozzarella
Top with a little freshly chopped parsley and serve with green veggies or salad.
chopped parsley to garnish
Notes
Leftovers:
Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Cool completely before placing in the fridge..
Reheating:
Reheat by covering with foil and placing in the oven at 180C/350F for 15-20 minutes until piping hot throughout..
Freezing:
You can also cover and freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating as per above..
Gluten free modifications:
You can make the dish gluten free by swapping the breadcrumbs and pasta for gluten free versions. If using stock, use a gluten free stock cube or bouillon. Worcestershire sauce and passata/tinned tomatoes are usually gluten free, but check your brand..Nutritional Information is per serving.