Best 5 Pesto Meatball Bake Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Pesto Meatball Bake, a culinary masterpiece that harmonizes the richness of meatballs, the vibrancy of pesto, and the comforting warmth of melted cheese. This savory dish features tender and juicy meatballs, lovingly crafted with a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal, expertly seasoned to tantalize your taste buds. Generously coated in a vibrant and aromatic homemade pesto, each meatball bursts with herbaceous notes of basil, garlic, and pine nuts. Nestled atop a bed of perfectly cooked pasta, the meatballs are enveloped in a creamy and flavorful tomato sauce, creating a delightful symphony of textures and flavors. A generous sprinkling of melted cheese adds a golden-brown crust and an irresistible gooeyness that will have you reaching for seconds. Elevate your culinary journey with our Pesto Meatball Casserole, a hearty and comforting dish that combines the classic flavors of meatballs, pasta, and cheese in a single, satisfying bake. Savor the tender meatballs nestled in a rich tomato sauce, topped with a golden crust of melted cheese. This crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or special gatherings, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing. If you're seeking a lighter and healthier alternative, our Turkey Pesto Meatball Bake is a guilt-free indulgence that doesn't compromise on flavor. Ground turkey replaces the traditional beef, pork, and veal, resulting in leaner and equally delicious meatballs. The vibrant pesto and creamy tomato sauce add layers of flavor, while a sprinkling of cheese provides a satisfying touch of indulgence. This wholesome bake is a perfect choice for health-conscious individuals who want to enjoy a comforting meal without sacrificing their dietary goals.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PESTO MEATBALLS



Pesto Meatballs image

Oven baked easy no mess meatballs. Enjoy with pasta and sauce. Or on a roll topped with pesto, sauce and cheese.

Provided by Rita1652

Categories     Meat

Time 30m

Yield 24 meatballs, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 lbs 80% lean ground beef (20% fat)
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 eggs, lightly whisked
1/2 cup finely minced onion
1/2 cup pesto sauce (prepared or store bought or Pesto)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Grease a cookie sheet with spray.
  • Mix all ingredients together by hand and form into oversized golf balls.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, until no longer pink in the middle.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 322, Fat 23.8, SaturatedFat 9, Cholesterol 111.6, Sodium 176.1, Carbohydrate 4.1, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 0.6, Protein 21.3

PESTO TURKEY MEATBALLS



Pesto Turkey Meatballs image

Ridiculously easy turkey meatballs ready in 30 minutes and full of flavor thanks to lots of pesto. My kids love these turkey meatballs and they're endlessly versatile, and I love how quick and easy they are to make.

Provided by Diana Moutsopoulos

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 ½ pounds ground turkey
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 egg
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a sheet pan.
  • Combine turkey, bread crumbs, pesto, Pecorino Romano cheese, egg, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl and mix with your hands until well combined.
  • Roll mixture into small, walnut-sized meatballs. Place onto the prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the centers, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337.8 calories, Carbohydrate 14.1 g, Cholesterol 124.1 mg, Fat 20.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 30 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 546 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

CREAMY PESTO PASTA BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY



Creamy Pesto Pasta Bake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, cold water, heavy cream, salt, pepper, fusilli pasta, cherry tomato, grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella ball

Provided by Tasty

Categories     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
½ cup pine nuts
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, grated
¾ cup olive oil
¼ cup cold water
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
12 oz fusilli pasta, al dente
1 cup cherry tomato, halved
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 oz mozzarella ball

Steps:

  • To make the pesto, mix basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, cold water, heavy cream, salt, and pepper in a food processor for about 30 seconds. Add in olive oil. Process until combined, set aside.
  • Cook fusilli to very al dente, or about 3-4 minutes before the package instructs for cook time, then drain pasta.
  • Halve cherry tomatoes.
  • In a skillet or casserole pan, mix fusilli, cherry tomatoes, and pesto.
  • Top with grated parmesan and mozzarella balls.
  • Bake at 400° Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until mozzarella has melted.
  • Garnish with additional parmesan and fresh basil. Serve immediately.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1234 calories, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Fat 89 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 42 grams, Sugar 6 grams

TURKEY-PESTO MEATBALLS



Turkey-Pesto Meatballs image

Ready in 45 minutes, this savory meatball dish is made with ground turkey and creamy basil pesto sauce. They're great over pasta or in a meatball sub.

Provided by By Bree Hester

Categories     Appetizer

Time 45m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 lb ground turkey breast
1 1/2 cups Progresso™ plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 eggs whites

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet with sides or 15x10-inch pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray.
  • In large bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined. Shape mixture into balls; place on cookie sheet.
  • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until thermometer inserted in center of meatballs reads 165°F.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving

MEATBALL PASTA BAKE (PASTA AL FORNO)



Meatball pasta bake (pasta al forno) image

Make a comforting meatball pasta bake to feed the family. Inspired by Italian flavours and made with wholewheat pasta, it's a fabulous, filling meal

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper

Time 1h

Yield Serves 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large onion , ½ grated, ½ finely chopped
3 garlic cloves , crushed
400g beef mince
50g fresh breadcrumbs
3 tbsp milk
25g parmesan , finely grated
½ small bunch of parsley , finely chopped
3 tbsp olive oil
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
350g undefined
2 x 125g balls mozzarella , drained and cut into cubes

Steps:

  • Mix the grated onion, 1 crushed garlic clove, mince, breadcrumbs, milk, parmesan and parsley in a large bowl. Season well with salt and pepper. Mash the mixture together with your hands until combined. Mould the mix into small balls (about walnut-sized) with damp hands. There will be about 20 meatballs.
  • Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a deep frying pan and fry the meatballs for 6-8 mins until golden brown all over. Fry in batches if you need to - they don't need to be cooked through, just browned on the outside. Set aside on a plate.
  • Heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in the pan and fry the chopped onion for 5 mins until softened. Add the remaining garlic, fry for another minute, then add the chopped tomatoes and simmer for 10 mins until thickened and the tomatoes have broken down. Season well with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 5 mins less than the pack instructions state, in boiling salted water. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
  • Stir the meatballs into the tomato sauce, adding a splash of water if too thick, and bring to a simmer. Drain the pasta and tip into an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and meatballs and mix well. Stir in most of the mozzarella, then scatter the remaining over the top. Bake for 15-20 mins until the cheese is golden and bubbling, and the top is slightly crisp.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 606 calories, Fat 28 grams fat, SaturatedFat 12 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 52 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 8 grams fiber, Protein 33 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pesto meatball bake.
  • Make sure your meatballs are cooked through before adding them to the baking dish. You can cook them in a skillet over medium heat, or bake them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a good quality pesto sauce. This is the key ingredient in this dish, so make sure it's something you enjoy the taste of.
  • Top the bake with shredded mozzarella cheese before baking. This will give it a nice, golden crust.
  • Serve the pesto meatball bake with a side of crusty bread or a salad.

Conclusion:

Pesto meatball bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It's also a great way to use up leftover meatballs. The combination of pesto, meatballs, and pasta is a classic, and the addition of mozzarella cheese makes it even more irresistible. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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