Description
A simple baked dish combining meatballs, marinara sauce, orzo pasta, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should have about 18-20 meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Spread the marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Stir the orzo pasta and water into the sauce in the baking dish.
- Arrange the browned meatballs evenly over the orzo mixture.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can use pre-made frozen meatballs if you prefer to save time.
- Use your favorite brand of marinara sauce.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 18
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 100
Keywords: meatball, orzo, parmesan, baked pasta, easy dinner, ground beef