The Perfect Baked Meatballs With Pasta In Parmesan Spinach Sauce Recipe

Baked meatballs with pasta in parmesan spinach sauce represent comfort food at its most delectable home-cooked pinnacle.

Generations of families have cherished these hearty meals that redefine simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Robust ground meat blends seamlessly with aromatic herbs, creating tender morsels that promise deep satisfaction.

Soft pasta serves as the perfect canvas for a luxurious spinach-infused parmesan sauce that whispers elegance with every bite.

Fresh ingredients elevate this classic combination beyond ordinary weeknight dinners, making each serving feel like a celebration.

Home cooks appreciate how effortlessly these components merge into a symphony of textures and flavors.

The magic happens when carefully crafted meatballs nestle against silky noodles, promising a meal that connects people through pure deliciousness.

Why This Dish Is Dinner Comfort on Every Level

• Creamy Comfort Meal: Dive into a luxurious dish that combines tender meatballs with a velvety spinach Parmesan sauce, offering pure comfort in every bite.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare this impressive meal in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families seeking a delicious and satisfying dinner without extensive cooking time.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with protein from meatballs and spinach, this recipe delivers a balanced meal that supports muscle health while tantalizing your taste buds with rich, cheesy goodness.
• Versatile One-Pan Magic: Simplify your cooking process with a single baking dish that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.

The Pasta, Meatballs, and Creamy Sauce Trifecta

• Ground Beef: Lean meat creates tender, flavorful meatballs with good texture.
• Ground Pork: Adds richness and moisture to enhance meatball flavor.
• Eggs: Binds meatball ingredients together for proper consistency.

• Breadcrumbs: Helps absorb moisture and creates lighter meatball texture.
• Parsley, Garlic: Provides fresh herbs and aromatic flavor to meatballs.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste.

• Penne Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that holds sauce well.
• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that creates creamy, nutritious sauce.
• Half & Half: Provides rich, smooth base for creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to sauce.
• Butter, Flour: Creates roux for thickening sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor to sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, stretchy topping for casserole.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Adjusts final seasoning of sauce.

How to Bake It All Together Beautifully

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease the surface.

Step 2: Create Meatball Mixture

• Ground meat
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Herbs
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix thoroughly with a fork until well blended. Shape mixture into meatballs slightly larger than 1 inch in diameter. Arrange meatballs evenly on prepared baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake Meatballs

Bake meatballs for 12 minutes until fully cooked through and golden brown.

Step 4: Cook Pasta

Boil salted water in a pot. Cook penne pasta until al dente. Reserve of pasta cooking water before draining.

Step 5: Create Sauce Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 6: Build Sauce Liquid

• Broth
• Half & half

Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring often for about 3 minutes.

Step 7: Add Spinach

Introduce spinach to the sauce, allowing it to wilt completely. Puree sauce using an immersion blender or standard blender.

Step 8: Finish Sauce

• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.

Step 9: Assemble Casserole

Butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish generously. Combine drained pasta with creamy sauce and reserved pasta water. Spread mixture evenly in the dish.

Step 10: Add Meatballs And Cheese

Top pasta with mozzarella cheese. Gently press baked meatballs into pasta, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Step 11: Final Bake

Bake for 20 minutes until edges are bubbly and cheese is melted.

Step 12: Rest And Serve

Let casserole rest for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top before serving if desired.

Tips for That Ultra-Creamy Spinach Parmesan Sauce

• Blend Meat Carefully: Mix ground meats gently to prevent tough meatballs, using a fork instead of overmixing with hands.
• Control Moisture Perfectly: Use fresh breadcrumbs and a splash of milk to keep meatballs tender and juicy during baking.
• Achieve Smooth Sauce Texture: Purée spinach sauce completely to create a silky, uniform consistency without lumps.
• Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook penne just until al dente, as it will continue cooking when baked in the sauce.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast flour slightly when making the sauce to develop a richer, nuttier background taste.

Store and Reheat Without Losing That Cozy Feel

• Refrigeration: Store leftover meatballs and pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed dishes can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the container tightly closed to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen meals will preserve quality for up to 2 months. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or thawed meatballs and pasta in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of reserved pasta water or broth to restore moisture and revive the sauce's creamy texture.

What to Serve With This Savory One-Dish Wonder

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory meatballs and creamy spinach sauce. The wine's acidity cuts through the dish's richness while enhancing its robust flavors.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Create a perfect side of crispy, buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious Parmesan spinach sauce. The garlic's pungent notes will beautifully contrast the creamy pasta and add a delightful crunch to the meal.
• Add Fresh Herb Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with arugula, basil, and a light lemon vinaigrette. The fresh, zesty salad will provide a refreshing counterpoint to the hearty meatball pasta, balancing the meal's richness and adding a vibrant touch.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: For white wine lovers, choose a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. These wines offer a bright, clean taste that will cut through the creamy sauce and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich meatballs.

Ingredient Swaps to Keep It Fresh & Fun

• Spicy Protein Powerhouse: Swap ground beef with ground turkey and add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a zesty kick that elevates the entire dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace regular herbs with fresh oregano, basil, and mint in the meatballs, then use feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a Greek-inspired version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Bowl: Substitute wheat pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles and use gluten-free flour for the sauce, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this hearty meal.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Swap: Create plant-based meatballs using ground mushrooms, breadcrumbs, and lentils, maintaining the rich, savory profile of the original recipe while offering a meat-free alternative.

Baked Meatballs With Pasta In Parmesan Spinach Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty baked meatballs nestled in creamy parmesan spinach sauce promise comfort and flavor from Italian kitchens. Succulent meat combined with rich sauce and tender pasta creates a satisfying meal that welcomes diners to savor each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 large egg
• 4 minced garlic cloves

Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:

• ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Pasta, Sauce, and Cheese Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
• 14 ounces (397 grams) chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup half-and-half
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, lightly greasing the surface to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all meatball ingredients using a fork until the mixture is evenly blended and cohesive.
3. Form the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, each approximately 1.25 inches (3.2 centimeters) in diameter, and arrange them carefully on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each.
4. Roast the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, ensuring they are fully cooked through and have a golden-brown exterior.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the penne pasta until it reaches al dente texture, typically 8-10 minutes.
6. Before draining the pasta, carefully reserve of the starchy cooking water, which will help create a silky sauce later.
7. In a separate saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium-low heat, then whisk in flour to create a smooth roux, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes.
8. Gradually incorporate chicken broth and half-and-half into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create a creamy base.
9. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens and becomes velvety.
10. Add fresh spinach to the sauce, letting it wilt and soften completely before using an immersion blender to puree the mixture into a smooth, vibrant green sauce.
11. Stir grated Parmesan cheese into the spinach sauce, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
12. Generously butter the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 centimeters) casserole dish to prevent sticking.
13. Combine the drained penne with the spinach Parmesan sauce, adding the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
14. Transfer the sauced pasta to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly and creating a smooth surface.
15. Arrange the baked meatballs on top of the pasta, gently pressing them into the sauce and spacing them approximately one inch apart.
16. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meatballs and pasta to create a golden, melted topping.
17. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
18. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5-7 minutes to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld.
19. Serve hot, optionally garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Notes

• Carefully arranged ingredients ensure a harmonious blend of flavors in this comforting meatball pasta dish.
• Meatballs baked to perfection create a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
• Parmesan spinach sauce transforms ordinary pasta into a creamy, vibrant culinary experience.
• Technique of wilting spinach directly in the sauce maximizes nutritional value and rich green color.
• Resting period after baking allows flavors to meld and sauce to set for perfect serving consistency.
• Versatile recipe welcomes personal touches like extra cheese or alternative herbs for customization.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking, Boiling, Simmering, Blending
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 675 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 130mg