Meatball Pasta Bake
This hearty meatball pasta bake is a delicious pasta recipe loaded with meatballs, Italian sausage, onions, bell pepper, a classic tomato base sauce, lots of gooey cheese, and is baked to melty perfection.
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 14 ounce beef and pork frozen meatballs, thawed
- 5 Italian sausage links
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- (2) 15 ounce tomato sauce
- 12 ounce tomato paste
- ½ cup pasta water
- 1 ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 ounce mini farfalle pasta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 deep baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
- Save ½ cup of pasta water, set aside. Drain the remaining water and return to the pot.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add sausage links and cook until all sides have browned.
- Remove from the skillet, and when cool enough to handle, slice into ½-inch slices.
- In the same skillet, add the meatballs and brown on all sides. Remove.
- Return the sausage to the pan and add diced bell pepper and onions. Cook until the veggies are tender.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, pasta water, oregano, basil, garlic powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
- Add meatballs to pan and stir to combine. Continue cooking for 10 minutes.
- Add pasta, stir to combine, and pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese next, followed by the remaining mixture.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and then add the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Carefully remove from the oven and enjoy with a side salad and crusty bread.