Mini Meatball Pasta Bake

An irresistible baked pasta dish that you can eat right away or make ahead for another night.
Directions for: Mini Meatball Pasta Bake

Ingredients

Meatballs

12 oz ground beef

12 oz Italian sausage

cup rolled oats

cup grated Parmesan

cup chopped fresh parsley

tsp dried oregano

Splash of milk

1 large egg, beaten

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil, for browning

Sauce

Olive oil, as needed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 yellow onion, chopped

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes

1 12-oz can tomato paste

2 cups hot water

cup chopped fresh parsley

1 Tbsp sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

cup chopped fresh basil

Layering

1 lb(s) ziti or mostaccioli pasta

16 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes

cup grated Parmesan

Directions

Meatballs

1. Add the ground beef, sausage, oats, Parmesan, parsley, dried oregano, milk, egg and some salt and pepper to a bowl and mix together well with your hands. Roll into approximately 48 meatballs (1 inch) and place on a baking sheet.

2. to brown the meatballs, heat some olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs in 3 batches and cook, turning, until brown, 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels after each batch. Set the meatballs aside.

Sauce

1. in a separate skillet or pot, heat some olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and cook until translucent, a few minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, hot water, parsley, sugar and some salt and pepper. Next, add the meatballs and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Stir in the basil, then set aside to cool.

Layering

1. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.

2. to assemble: Spoon some cooled sauce on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch dish. Layer on half of the pasta, half the sauce and meatballs and then half the mozzarella cubes. Repeat the layers once more and top the dish with the grated Parmesan.

3. if serving immediately, baked in a preheated oven at 350F until the cheese is golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

4. if serving later, cover the assembled dish and refrigerate. when ready to serve, bake straight from the fridge in a preheated oven at 350F until the cheese is golden and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

See more: Beef, Italian, Main, Pasta, Pork