Meatballs & Pasta Bake
3 cups macaroni or other small pasta
2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C).
Prepare the Meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Mix until just combined (do not over-mix to keep the meatballs tender). Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter (should yield approximately 20-24 meatballs).
Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Bake for 25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
Cook the Pasta:
While meatballs are baking, cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Assemble the Dish: In a large glass baking pan, combine cooked macaroni, marinara sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix gently to combine.