Hey, food lovers! If you’re looking for a meal that’s cheesy, savory, and packed with flavor, this Meatball Bake is the perfect dish to satisfy your cravings. I threw this together a couple of weeks ago, and let me tell you, it was one of those “wing it” recipes that turned out so delicious! The tomato sauce is rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice, and the melted cheese on top adds the perfect touch of gooey goodness. It’s an easy, hearty dish that can be customized with any veggies or seasonings you have on hand.
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or just want something that feels like a comforting hug, this Meatball Bake won’t disappoint. It’s simple, nutritious, and super satisfying!
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This ensures the oven is at the right temperature for baking the Meatball Bake later, helping to achieve that perfectly golden and bubbly cheese topping.
Cook the Meatballs
Next, cook the meatballs according to the packet instructions. For convenience, I used an air fryer to cook mine, but using the oven works just as well. Once cooked, set them aside while you prepare the sauce and veggies.
Sauté the Veggies
While the meatballs are cooking, chop the celery, carrot, onion, and bell pepper into small pieces. Heat a frying pan with a little low-calorie cooking spray, then add the chopped vegetables. Cook them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and slightly caramelized. This step brings out the natural sweetness of the veggies, which will add flavor to the sauce.
Add Garlic, Chilli, and Tomato Purée
Once the veggies are soft, stir in the crushed garlic and chilli (if you like it spicy!). Add 1 tablespoon of tomato purée to deepen the flavor of the sauce. Let this cook for about a minute to allow the garlic and purée to blend with the vegetables.
Blend the Sauce
Now it’s time to add some texture to the sauce. Take half of the cooked veggies and half of the tin of tomatoes, and blend them together until smooth. You can use a blender for this, or just mash it up with a fork if you prefer a chunkier sauce. Add the remaining tomatoes directly into the pan with the rest of the vegetables. If you prefer a chunky sauce, just skip the blending and add everything straight to the pan.
Stir in the Passata and Seasonings
After adding the tomatoes, pour in 200ml of passata for a smooth base. Then add 200ml of water, along with Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, tomato ketchup, paprika, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together until the sauce is well combined. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes to blend all the flavors.
Add the Spinach
Now, it’s time to add some greens. Stir in a large handful of spinach. The heat from the sauce will help the spinach wilt down quickly, adding a fresh, nutritious element to the dish. Once the spinach has wilted, give it a final stir to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
Assemble the Bake
Transfer the veggie sauce mixture into an ovenproof dish. Once the sauce is spread evenly, nestle the cooked meatballs into the sauce. Make sure they’re well distributed so every bite has some of that cheesy, tomato goodness.
Add the Cheese and Bake
Top the meatballs and sauce with the mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan. For an extra burst of flavor, you can also add sundried tomatoes on top. Once the cheese is evenly spread, pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. The bubbling cheese and rich sauce will signal that your Meatball Bake is ready!
Necessary Tools
- Oven
- Air fryer or oven (for cooking meatballs)
- Frying pan
- Blender (optional, for smooth sauce)
- Ovenproof dish
Meatball Bake Recipe: A Cheesy Tomato Delight!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes40
minutes50
minutesIngredients
12 meatballs (I used reduced-fat from Tesco)
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
Crushed garlic and chilli (to taste)
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tin (400g) tomatoes
200ml passata
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
A large handful of spinach
60g reduced-fat mozzarella
70g 50% fat grated cheddar
10g parmesan
Optional Sundried tomatoes for topping
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Cook the meatballs according to the packet instructions (I used my air fryer, but the oven works fine too!). While the meatballs are cooking, chop all your veggies. - In a frying pan, heat a little low-calorie cooking spray, then add the chopped celery, carrot, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until softened.
- Stir in the chilli, garlic, and tomato purée. Let it cook for a minute, then blend half of the veggie mix with half of the tinned tomatoes. Add the other half of the tomatoes into the pan with the remaining veggies (you can skip blending if you prefer a chunky sauce).
- Stir in passata and 200ml of water. Add Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, tomato ketchup, paprika, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the spinach and stir until it wilts. Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish and top with the cooked meatballs.
- Sprinkle the cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan) on top, and if you like, add some sundried tomatoes for extra flavor. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
- When blending the sauce, be cautious not to burn yourself with hot liquids. Let the mixture cool slightly before blending if needed.
- The meatballs should be cooked through before adding them to the sauce. If you prefer, you can use pre-cooked or frozen meatballs to save time.
Serving Suggestions
This Meatball Bake pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or some crusty bread for dipping into that delicious tomato sauce. If you’re looking for more veggies, roasted broccoli or a side of sautéed greens also complement the dish perfectly!
Fun Fact
Did you know that meatballs are a favorite comfort food in many cultures around the world? From Italy to Sweden, each country has its own twist on the classic meatball recipe. This bake is my take on the beloved meatball dish with a cheesy, saucy twist!
Conclusion
This Meatball Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich flavors, a cheesy topping, and hearty meatballs. It’s simple to make, fully customizable, and the whole family will love it. The best part is, it’s full of healthy veggies and lean protein, making it a guilt-free treat that feels indulgent! Give it a try and let me know what you think!
