Herby Meatball Baked Pasta Recipes

GREEK MEATBALL PASTA

Steps:

• Combine all the meatball ingredients except the olive oil in a large bowl. Form the mixture into small meatballs, just smaller than a golf ball.
• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy bottom skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half of the meatballs and sauté for 3-4 minutes, turning every so often to brown the outside and then continue cooking through for about 6 minutes more. Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oil and repeat the process with the remaining meatballs.
• In a large skillet, heat the 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and saute until they start to fall apart. Add the chopped garlic and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and combine all the pieces into a summer greek meatball pasta and garnish with herbs and feta.

HERBY BAKED PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly, add the basil sprigs and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs and stir in the chopped basil and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Cook the rigatoni in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and add it to the bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

CHEESY MEATBALL BAKED PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to broil on high. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil and coat lightly with oil.
• Put the breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl and pour the milk over the top. Stir to combine and let stand 5 minutes. Add the beef, pork, Parmesan, oregano, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and mix to combine with your hands. Add the egg and mix well to incorporate. Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls, arranging them in the prepared baking dish.
• Broil the meatballs about 3 inches from the element until browned on top, about 4 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and continue to broil until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes more.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add both cans of tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer rapidly, uncovered, until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook the fusilli in the salted boiling water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the tomato sauce, meatballs and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan to the bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer the pasta to a 3- to 4-quart baking dish. Dollop the ricotta by spoonfuls onto the pasta. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let the pasta stand about 10 minutes before serving.

MEATBALL PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes less than the package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking dish.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add marinara sauce and ricotta cheese; mix to combine. Add cooked pasta and mix to combine. Season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
• Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of sauce without meatballs. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Add another layer of sauce with meatballs on top and sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Add the rest of the sauce and meatball mixture on top, followed by remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake until cheese starts to turn golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!

HERBY CHICKEN KOFTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pulse yellow onions and garlic in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chopped onion and garlic, season with 1/2 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, and red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Scrape into a large bowl and let cool slightly.
• Wipe out food processor and add parsley and mint. Pulse until finely chopped, then transfer to bowl with onion mixture. Add chicken and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt to bowl with onion mixture. Mix with your hands to combine, but do not overwork. Divide into 16 equal portions (about 1/3 cup per kofta). Shape into 3 1/2x2" "footballs" with tapered ends.
• Arrange patties on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 165°F, about 8 minutes per side.
• Do Ahead
• Kofta can be made 3 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 6 months.

CHEESY MEATBALL PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Pour olive oil into a 9-inch square baking dish. Place Boursin cheese in the middle of the dish. Add cherry tomatoes around the cheese, then sprinkle garlic, salt, and pepper over top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven; crush the tomatoes and mix with the melted cheese.
• Add frozen meatballs and return to the oven; bake until meatballs are heated through, about 15 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
• Remove meatballs and tomato mixture from the oven. Add pasta and mix until well combined. Serve immediately.