Meatball Pasta Bake

Health score
18%
Meatball Pasta Bake
70 min.
10
524kcal

Suggestions


Are you ready to elevate your weeknight dinner with a dish that’s both comforting and crowd-pleasing? Look no further than this delectable Meatball Pasta Bake! Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy night in, this recipe combines the heartiness of tender beef meatballs with the satisfying chew of penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich marinara sauce. Topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, this bake is sure to become a favorite at your dinner table.

What makes this dish truly special is the infusion of fresh flavors. The aromatic blend of sautéed onions, garlic, and fennel seeds creates a savory base that complements the meatballs beautifully. A splash of fresh orange juice and zest adds a surprising twist, brightening the overall flavor profile and making each bite a delightful experience. With the addition of fresh basil, this dish not only tastes amazing but also looks vibrant and inviting.

Ready in just 70 minutes and serving up to 10 people, this Meatball Pasta Bake is an ideal choice for meal prep or entertaining guests. Whether you’re serving it as a main course or a hearty side dish, it’s sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to indulge in a comforting meal that brings everyone together!

Ingredients

  • cup basil fresh
  • 10 servings basil fresh
  • 28 oz beef frozen thawed
  • 0.8 cup chicken broth organic
  • teaspoon fennel seeds 
  • oz mozzarella fresh
  •  garlic clove minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • 48 oz tomatoes 
  • tablespoons olive oil 
  • cup orange juice fresh
  • teaspoon orange zest packed
  • 16 oz penne pasta 
  • medium size bell pepper red chopped
  • small onion sweet chopped

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • oven
  • baking pan
  • aluminum foil
  • dutch oven

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 35
  2. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
  3. Saut onion and fennel bulb in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.
  4. Add garlic and fennel seeds, and saut 1 minute. Stir in marinara sauce and next 6 ingredients; increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat, and stir in basil, cooked pasta, and salt to taste.
  6. Transfer to a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
  7. Place dish on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Top with cheese.
  8. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
  9. Note: We tested with Classico Marinara with Plum Tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories524kcal
Protein20.61%
Fat42.86%
Carbs36.53%

Properties

Glycemic Index
36.8
Glycemic Load
17.66
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
24.470869764038%

Flavonoids

Epigallocatechin 3-gallate
0.03mg
Eriodictyol
0.04mg
Hesperetin
2.96mg
Naringenin
0.53mg
Luteolin
0.08mg
Kaempferol
0.38mg
Myricetin
0.4mg
Quercetin
4.91mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:524.49kcal
26.22%
Fat:25.05g
38.54%
Saturated Fat:9.66g
60.38%
Carbohydrates:48.03g
16.01%
Net Carbohydrates:43.75g
15.91%
Sugar:10.63g
11.81%
Cholesterol:74.63mg
24.88%
Sodium:1028.72mg
44.73%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:27.1g
54.21%
Selenium:45.66µg
65.23%
Vitamin C:40.13mg
48.65%
Vitamin B12:2.22µg
36.99%
Manganese:0.71mg
35.26%
Phosphorus:349.98mg
35%
Zinc:5.07mg
33.81%
Vitamin B3:5.86mg
29.28%
Vitamin B6:0.57mg
28.47%
Vitamin A:1398.69IU
27.97%
Vitamin K:26.47µg
25.21%
Potassium:874.58mg
24.99%
Iron:3.95mg
21.92%
Vitamin E:3.03mg
20.19%
Vitamin B2:0.34mg
19.83%
Copper:0.39mg
19.73%
Magnesium:73.65mg
18.41%
Calcium:180.51mg
18.05%
Fiber:4.28g
17.12%
Folate:51.16µg
12.79%
Vitamin B5:1.18mg
11.81%
Vitamin B1:0.16mg
10.99%
Vitamin D:0.17µg
1.13%