Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

 Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

 Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 500 g ground beef
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Salt & pepper to taste

For the pasta & sauce:

• 2 cups pasta (penne or rigatoni works best)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

 Instructions

1. Make the meatballs
   Mix all meatball ingredients and form small balls.
   Cook them in a pan until browned (they don’t need to be fully cooked yet).
2. Cook the pasta
   Boil in salted water until just al dente, then drain.
3. Prepare the creamy sauce
   • Melt butter in a pan
   • Add flour and whisk for 1 minute
   • Slowly add milk and broth, stirring until thick
   • Mix in cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
4. Assemble
   • Mix pasta with the sauce
   • Pour into a baking dish
   • Add meatballs on top
5. Bake
   Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

 Tips

• Add a little extra cheese on top before baking for a crispy finish
• You can swap beef for chicken or turkey
• A pinch of paprika or chili flakes adds a nice kick