This is one of those get-dinner-on-the-table recipes that saves the day. You can use store-bought meatballs or make your own ( if you have time), and the rest of the recipe uses basic pantry staples and one pan, and it’s always a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when energy is low but hunger is high.
As I said, everything cooks together in one pan, including the pasta, which means less washing up and more time to actually enjoy dinner. Yay!!!! Finished with a bubbling layer of melted mozzarella, this easy meatball pasta bake is simple, satisfying and reliably delicious.
You can use store-bought meatballs or you can make your own if you have time! I use my burger patty recipe and just shape them into mini-meatballs.
Top Tip to make this extra kid-friendly:
I use a tin of chopped/crushed tomatoes in this recipe but my kids complain about the tomato pieces! So, if you have picky-eaters you can easily blend the chopped tomatoes with an electric blender so that its a little more cohesive!! All in the name of making everyone happy!
Ingredients needed to make Easy Meatball Pasta Bake
- Sunflower oil or olive oil
- Ready-made meatballs or make some!
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chopped tomatoes (tinned)
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Smoked paprika
- Beef stock
- Passata or tomato purée
- Short pasta (penne, fusilli, etc.)
- Mozzarella cheese
- Salt & Black pepper
How to Make this Easy Meatball Pasta Bake (A Summary):
Brown the meatballs in a large ovenproof pan, then cook the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. Stir in the chilli flakes and smoked paprika, stir for a minute then add the tomatoes, stock, passata and dry pasta, as well as some salt and pepper. Simmer covered until the pasta is tender and the sauce has reduced. Finish with mozzarella and grill until melted and bubbling.
If you love this 30-minute meal, then you will also love these easy family dinners too:
- One Pot Creamy Pasta and Mince
- Creamy Tomato and Bacon Pasta
- 20-Minute Chicken Teriyaki
- Easy Tuna Fish Cakes
Easy Meatball Pasta Bake (30 Minutes)
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
This is one of those get-dinner-on-the-table recipes that saves the day. It uses store-bought meatballs, pantry staples and one pan, and it’s always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup sunflower oil (or olive oil)
- 12–14 ready-made mini meatballs or 8-10 medium-large (approx. 600g or 20 oz)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (optional)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 750ml beef stock
- 1/3 cup passata (or tomato puree)
- 300g short pasta (penne, fusilli, etc.) (3 ½ cups)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, deep ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for about 5 minutes until lightly browned all over.
- Add the onion and garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the chilli flakes and smoked paprika – stir for a minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, passata and dry pasta. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, lower the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. (If it looks a little dry before the pasta is cooked, add a splash of water)
- Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top and place under a hot grill for 3–5 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Recipe inspired by Taming Twins https://www.tamingtwins.com/
Leave a Reply