Baked Penne Pasta With Meatballs is a comforting, family-friendly meal featuring tender penne tossed in a rich meat sauce and finished with gooey melted mozzarella. Simple to prepare and always popular, it makes a satisfying weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
If you enjoy meatballs, try other favorite preparations like a crockpot meatball bake or classic meatball sub sandwiches for variety.
Baked Penne Pasta With Meatballs
This baked penne recipe is a reliable favorite. The combination of al dente pasta, hearty meat sauce, Italian-style meatballs and melted cheese is comfort food at its best. Serve it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
One of the best things about this dish is how easy it is to assemble with pantry and freezer staples. You can use homemade meatballs and sauce when you have the time, but store-bought frozen meatballs and jarred marinara work perfectly for a quicker dinner.
Customize the bake by stirring in a spoonful of pesto, a drizzle of hot sauce, or any favorite mix-ins your family loves. Let kids help layer the dish for a fun, hands-on meal prep experience.
Penne Meatball Bake Video Tutorial
Key Ingredients
- Penne pasta – cook to al dente following package directions so the pasta holds up during baking. Ziti, rigatoni or cavatappi are good alternatives.
- Onions – finely diced white or yellow onions, sautéed until soft and lightly golden.
- Ground beef – lean ground beef (90/10) works well to avoid excess grease in the bake.
- Spaghetti sauce – your preferred marinara or pasta sauce. Store-bought is convenient, or use a homemade sauce if available.
- Mozzarella cheese – shredded mozzarella gives a stretchy, cheesy topping. Monterey Jack or pepper jack are tasty alternatives.
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated Parmesan adds savory depth; use pre-grated if needed.
- Meatballs – homemade or store-bought meatballs both work. If using frozen, thaw them before assembling.
How to Make Penne Pasta With Meatballs
- Cook the pasta. Boil penne until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Make the meat sauce. Sauté diced onions in olive oil over medium heat until softened and lightly browned. Add minced garlic and cook another 1–2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until mostly browned, then stir in the spaghetti sauce and simmer briefly to combine flavors.
- Assemble. Mix the cooked pasta with the meat sauce, then stir in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish, top with the remaining cheeses, and arrange the meatballs evenly on top, pressing them in slightly.
- Bake. Bake uncovered in a 400°F oven for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Let the dish rest about 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can assemble the bake up to the point of baking, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. When ready, bring the dish to room temperature for about 30 minutes while preheating the oven, then bake as directed. For longer storage, wrap the assembled dish tightly and freeze for up to one month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Both homemade and store-bought meatballs are delicious in this bake. If you make your own, consider making a large batch and freezing extras for quick meals later. If using frozen meatballs, thaw them before assembling to ensure even heating.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian: Omit ground beef and meatballs, and use a vegetable-based sauce or roasted vegetables instead.
- Mushroom pasta bake: Sauté mushrooms in place of meat for a rich, savory vegetarian option.
- Sausage pasta bake: Swap in sliced or diced sausage for the ground beef, or combine both for extra flavor.
- Spicy: Add pepper jack cheese, red pepper flakes, or spicy Italian sausage to give the bake more heat.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Unbaked, assembled pasta can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- To reheat: Warm leftovers in a 350°F oven, adding a splash of extra sauce to keep the pasta moist, or reheat single portions in the microwave.
Baked Penne Pasta with Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 3 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 15 large meatballs, homemade or store-bought, thawed if frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook penne until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onions until soft and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1–2 minutes more.
- Add the ground beef and cook until mostly browned, about 7–8 minutes. Stir in the spaghetti sauce until fully combined.
- Remove from heat and mix the cooked pasta into the sauce. Stir in half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9″ x 13″ baking dish.
- Top with remaining cheeses and place the meatballs evenly across the surface, pressing them in slightly.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the top is bubbly and lightly golden. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
To reheat: Warm in a preheated 350°F oven, adding a little extra sauce to keep the pasta moist, or reheat single servings in the microwave.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 32 g
| Protein: 14 g
| Fat: 13 g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates provided for guidance only.
Sharing this recipe with a link is encouraged. Content and photos are copyright protected.
More of Our Favorite Pasta Recipes
- Chicken Spaghetti
- Viral Feta Pasta Recipe
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Homemade Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Tortellini Pasta Bake
- Ground Beef Pasta Bake
- More Pasta Recipes
- Inexpensive Dinner Ideas
This baked penne combines tender pasta in a savory meat sauce with Italian meatballs and plenty of melted mozzarella for an irresistible family meal everyone will enjoy.