Name: Italian Wedding Pasta Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 12 ounces dried farfalle pasta; 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 onion, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 2 carrots, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 (32-ounce) carton reduced-sodium chicken broth; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided; 5 cups chopped kale or baby spinach; 1 (26-ounce) package frozen Italian meatballs, thawed; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano, divided; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Embrace the heartwarming essence of Italian Wedding Soup in a comforting pasta bake! This dish features tender pasta, savory meatballs, and a medley of garden vegetables, all bathed in a light, cheesy sauce and crowned with a golden, crispy Parmesan-panko topping. It's a delightful symphony of flavors and textures that will bring joy to your table.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Gather all ingredients.

02

Step

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly coat a 3-quart rectangular baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. (5 minutes)

03

Step

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes; drain and transfer to a bowl. (15 minutes)

04

Step

Heat 2 tablespoons butter and olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Cook, covered, until carrots are nearly tender, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. (10 minutes)

05

Step

Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. (2 minutes)

06

Step

Sprinkle flour over the vegetable mixture; cook and stir for 1 minute. (2 minutes)

07

Step

While stirring, slowly pour in broth. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until mixture is slightly thickened, 1 minute more. (5 minutes)

08

Step

Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. (1 minute)

09

Step

Add kale or spinach; cook and stir until wilted, about 1 minute. (2 minutes)

10

Step

Add cooked pasta, meatballs, 2 tablespoons oregano, pepper, and salt to the pot; stir to combine. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. (5 minutes)

11

Step

To make the topping: Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a bowl. Add panko and stir to combine. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle topping evenly over the casserole. (5 minutes)

12

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and bubbly, about 20 minutes. (20 minutes)

13

Step

Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon oregano and fresh parsley. (10 minutes)

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.8/ 5 ( 10 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (8)

Oscar Pfeffer
Jun 27, 2025
The flavors are so comforting and remind me of my grandmother's Italian Wedding Soup.
Natalia Mcdermottkoch
Jun 2, 2025
This recipe is amazing! My family loved it, and it's become a regular on our dinner rotation.
Felicity Welchkozey
May 28, 2025
I added some chopped zucchini and it was a great addition. Thanks for the recipe!
Cesar Buckridge
Apr 17, 2025
Next time, I'll try using a different type of pasta, like penne or rotini.
Molly Brakus
Apr 2, 2025
My kids are picky eaters, but they devoured this pasta bake. Highly recommend!
Felipe Borer
Feb 25, 2025
I used spinach instead of kale and it turned out great. A healthy and tasty meal!
Darrick Feil
Feb 18, 2025
Easy to follow and delicious. The panko topping is the perfect touch.
Denis Herzog
Feb 8, 2025
I made this for a potluck, and it was a huge hit. Everyone asked for the recipe.

Italian Wedding Pasta Bake