Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, just like my mom used to do when turning the simplest pantry staples into something magical.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or rigatoni work well)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
If you’re out of breadcrumbs, crushed crackers make a great substitute. And for a lighter version, ground turkey works beautifully in place of beef.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked through as they’ll finish in the oven.
- In a baking dish, layer the cooked pasta, then arrange the meatballs on top.
- Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and pasta, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Smothered Meatball and Pasta Bake, recipe, cooking, food
