Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bite-sized pasta cups loaded with savory mini meatballs and melted cheese, perfect for little hands and picky eaters who love cheese. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, penne pasta, mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.6 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, combine 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; mix gently until combined, then form into 24 small meatballs (about 1 inch each).
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat; brown meatballs for 3-4 minutes until golden, then transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Cook 8 oz penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain, return to pot, and stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until coated.
  4. Step 4: Arrange meatballs in a greased 12-cup muffin tin, spoon pasta mixture over each until 3/4 full, top with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella per cup.
  5. Step 5: Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are golden brown.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cheesy Mini Meatball Pasta Cups?

Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes