Meatball noodle bake is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines tender meatballs, pasta, marinara sauce, and cheese, all baked to perfection. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (about 450g) uncooked pasta (such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 1 pound (about 450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24-26 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked meat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and meat sauce, tossing until well combined.
- Transfer half of the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Arrange the meatballs evenly over the layer of pasta in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the meatballs.
- Repeat layering with the remaining pasta mixture, shredded mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are golden brown.
- Once done, remove the meatball noodle bake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Enjoy your delicious and comforting meatball noodle bake as a satisfying meal for any occasion!
