Baked Pasta Cake with Meatballs and Ricotta Frosting

Transform your pasta night with this innovative baked pasta cake, complete with savory meatballs and a creamy ricotta frosting.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, drain, and let it cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter.
5. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and cook meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Set them aside.
6. In an 8×8 inch baking dish, layer the cooked spaghetti evenly to form the base of the cake.
7. Spread the marinara sauce over the spaghetti.
8. Place the cooked meatballs uniformly over the marinara layer.
9. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese and fresh basil, then spread this mixture over the top of the meatballs as frosting.
10. Cover the dish with foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the ricotta is slightly browned.
12. Allow the pasta cake to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Save This Recipe

---

Chopped is powered by people alongside Cookie, our AI sous-chef. Every cook and kitchen is unique, so be sure to check seasoning, temperature, and cook time as you go. Consult packaging for dietary information and always follow food safety guidelines.

---