This easy one pan meatball pasta bake is the perfect family dinner. Made with risoni, juicy meatballs and melty cheese, it’s a simple, minimal-clean-up recipe everyone will love.
I’m going to be honest with you… I don’t love cooking dinner.
It’s not the actual cooking. It’s the thinking. The planning. The what on earth are we eating tonight part that gets me every single time.
So lately, I’ve been leaning hard into meals that make life easier. Less chopping, less washing up, and ideally something I can just throw in the oven and let it do its thing.
This meatball pasta bake is exactly that.
It’s one pan, super cosy, and one of those dinners that everyone eats without complaint (which honestly feels like a small miracle some nights).
Why you’ll love this meatball pasta bake
- One pan = less washing up (we love to see it)
- Minimal prep – just chop, mix, and bake
- Family-friendly – even picky eaters tend to love this one
- Budget-friendly – especially if you use pre-made meatballs
- Comfort food at its best – cheesy, saucy, and filling
- Flexible – use whatever veggies or seasoning you have on hand
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 190ºC so it’s ready to go.
- Build your base
Add the chopped onion, meatballs, garlic, seasoning, olive oil, and zucchini to a large baking dish.
Give everything a good mix so it’s evenly coated.
- First bake
Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
This helps the meatballs start to brown and brings out all those flavours.
- Add the pasta and sauce
Remove the dish from the oven and add the passata, chicken stock, and risoni (orzo).
Stir everything together so the pasta is fully coated and sitting in the liquid.
- Bake until tender
Cover the dish tightly with foil and return it to the oven.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until the risoni is soft and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add the cheese
Remove the foil, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top, and return to the oven.
Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy
Spoon into bowls and serve warm.
Then go back for seconds… because you will 😅
Meatball pasta bake
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 400–500g meatballs
- 1 tbsp herbs or seasoning (souvlaki mix or mixed herbs)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 zucchini, chopped
- 250g risoni (orzo)
- 2 cups passata
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup mozzarella, grated
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190ºC.
- Add onion, meatballs, garlic, seasoning, olive oil, and zucchini to a baking dish. Mix well.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Add passata, chicken stock, and risoni. Stir to combine.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until risoni is cooked through.
- Remove foil, top with mozzarella, and bake for a further 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Want more deliciously easy recipes? Browse through hundreds of my tried and tested recipes, or take a look at my free recipe eBook filled with budget-friendly dinner ideas. You can also keep up-to-date by following along on Instagram or Facebook.
