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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

    Published: Aug 3, 2022 · Modified: Feb 7, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    An easy smoky meatball pasta bake recipe using store-bought meatballs in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with smoked paprika!

    This is the ultimate in pasta comfort food!

    Meatball pasta bake in a baking dish.

    Who doesn't love pasta, bubbling oozy cheese, and rich meaty meatballs? My kids certainly do, and this tasty cheesy meatball pasta bake is always a big hit when I make it for dinner!

    I've kept things simple and used good quality store-bought beef meatballs, but feel free to make your own if you have time!

    The meatballs are oven roasted which helps them keep their shape when they are mixed into the tomato pasta.

    👩‍🍳 Love pasta bakes? Try my easy pepperoni pizza pasta bake next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • 😋 More pasta recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • Easy pasta bake using store-bought meatballs.
    • Cheesy, smoky, and delicious.
    • Comfort food in a bowl.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for smoky meatball pasta bake.
    • Meatballs - 24 store-bought beef meatballs, or use your own. You could also use pork or turkey meatballs if you prefer.
    • Pasta - any short pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rigatoni.
    • Olive Oil - for frying the garlic.
    • Garlic - 3 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped.
    • Chorizo - cured chorizo sausage cut into 1cm rounds.
    • Passata - or use chopped tomatoes for a chunkier textured sauce.
    • Stock - beef stock made from a stock cube or stock pot.
    • Tomato Puree - adds richness to the sauce.
    • Smoked Paprika - or swap for normal paprika.
    • Sugar - to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
    • Salt & Pepper - for seasoning.
    • Mozzarella - buffalo mozzarella cut into slices
    • Cheddar - grated extra mature cheddar cheese for an extra cheesy flavour.
    • Parsley - for garnish.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Serve the smoky meatball pasta bake with homemade pesto foccacia, roasted Tenderstem broccoli, and roasted courgettes.

    A crisp green salad on the side is nice too!

    Chorizo and meatball pasta bake.

    📖 Variations

    • Make it spicy and add 1 chopped red chilli at the same time as the garlic.
    • Add 1 teaspoon of Italian dried herbs for extra flavour.
    • Make a double batch and freeze half for another day.
    • Swap the fusilli for spaghetti and make baked spaghetti and meatballs.
    • Cut the calories and use only half the amount of cheese.
    • Make it extra cheesy and add grated Parmesan.

    🥡 Storage

    Store: make the pasta bake up to the point of baking, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 days (continue the recipe as directed when ready to eat). Leftover baked pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Reheat: place the pasta bake in a microwave-safe bowl and reheat on full power until piping hot.

    Freeze: the pasta bake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool thoroughly before placing it in the freezer.

    Cheesy meatball pasta bake with chorizo.

    😋 More pasta recipes

    • Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese
    • Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
    • Easy Tuna Pasta Bake
    • Creamy Sausage Pasta
    • Cheesy Pasta Bake
    • Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
    • Easy Lasagne

    Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date with what's cooking in the Effortless Foodie kitchen! You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

    Recipe

    Smoky meatball pasta bale.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake

    An easy smoky meatball pasta bake recipe using store-bought meatballs in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with smoked paprika!
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine British
    Keyword cheesy meatball pasta bake, meatball pasta bake, smoky meatball pasta bake
    Prep Time 8 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 38 minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 532kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Roasting Tin
    • Frying Pan
    • Large Baking Dish
    • Knife
    • Cheese Grater

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 24 Beef Meatballs
    • 250 g Pasta fusilli or rigatoni
    • 3 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 100 g Chorizo cut into 1cm rounds
    • 200 g Passata
    • 200 ml Beef Stock
    • 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree
    • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 200 g Buffalo Mozzarella drained and sliced
    • 30 g Extra Mature Cheddar grated
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 200°c (180 fan/ Gas 6). Place the meatballs in a roasting tray and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.
      2 tablespoon Olive Oil, 24 Beef Meatballs
    • Meanwhile cook the pasta according to packet instructions, drain and set aside.
      250 g Pasta
    • Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and cook the garlic and chorizo for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
      3 Garlic Cloves, 100 g Chorizo
    • Stir in the passata, stock, tomato puree, smoked paprika, sugar, salt and pepper, and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
      200 g Passata, 200 ml Beef Stock, 1 tablespoon Tomato Puree, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Sugar, 1 teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Stir in the cooked pasta and meatballs. Mix carefully to prevent the meatballs from breaking up.
    • Pour into a large baking dish and top with the sliced mozzarella and grated cheddar. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden and bubbling. Garnish with parsley before serving.
      200 g Buffalo Mozzarella, 30 g Extra Mature Cheddar, 1 tablespoon Parsley

    Notes

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
    Nutrition Facts
    Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    532
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    31
    g
    48
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    75
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.02
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    12
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    116
    mg
    39
    %
    Sodium
     
    874
    mg
    38
    %
    Potassium
     
    527
    mg
    15
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    36
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    27
    g
    54
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1527
    IU
    31
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    6
    mg
    7
    %
    Calcium
     
    815
    mg
    82
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

    • Easy Macaroni Cheese Recipe
    • Easy Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie Robinson

      August 03, 2022 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good! I am just loving the unexpected addition of paprika in this. 🙂

      Reply
    2. Dana

      August 03, 2022 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a comforting meal! Even the leftovers are delicious. Perfect to make ahead for a busy week to make sure the fam is still fed and happy 🙂

      Reply
    3. Andrea

      August 03, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      This looks like an easy recipe! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing it.

      Reply
    4. Andrea

      August 03, 2022 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      This smoky meatball pasta bake looks and sounds fabulous. It's a perfect meal on a busy weeknight. Can't wait to give it a try.

      Reply
    5. Roxana

      August 03, 2022 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta was so rich and satisfying. Everyone loved it and it was so easy to make as well.

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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