Meatball Pasta Bake<\/title> \n<\/head> \n<body><\/p>\nAre you tired of the same old bland meal prep and looking for something that will excite your taste buds while supporting your weight loss goals? Look no further! This blog post introduces you to a delicious, budget-friendly meatball pasta bake that is high in protein, perfect for portion control, and guaranteed to keep you on track with your fat-loss journey. Imagine getting an entire week’s worth of mouthwatering meals ready in under 30 minutes. It’s time to explore how this simple yet flavorful dish helped me lose 130 pounds and maintain my weight for over a decade. So grab your apron and join us as we dive into a recipe that will revolutionize your meal prep routine, bringing joy back to your dining experience without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n<h2>Ingredients and Shopping Tips<\/h2>\nThe beauty of this dish starts with its simplicity and affordability. You only need a few basic ingredients:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>16 oz of pasta<\/strong>: I opted for Barilla rotini, a budget-friendly choice often found on sale. While whole grain options are generally preferred for their fiber content, sometimes budget dictates our choices, and that’s okay.<\/li>\n<li>7 cups of frozen peas and carrots<\/strong>: These versatile veggies from Walmart’s GV brand are not only cost-effective but also delicious and convenient. Keep in mind that frozen vegetables shrink when cooked, so I use extra to ensure I have enough for the recipe.<\/li>\n<li>1 and 3\/4 cups of pizza mozzarella cheese<\/strong>: The Kirkland Signature brand from Costco provides great taste without compromising on calories. Buying cheese in bulk during sales and freezing it is a great way to save money while ensuring you always have some on hand.<\/li>\n<li>32 frozen lean Angus meatballs<\/strong>: These are a staple at our household, available at Walmart. The “Our Finest” brand provides quality and affordability. Buying in bulk allows you to use them in multiple recipes, adding protein to your meals without much hassle.<\/li>\n<li>3 cups of Great Value garlic and herb pasta sauce<\/strong>: The cheapest doesn’t have to mean tasteless. This sauce doubles up as a pizza topping, saving you money and space in your pantry.<\/li>\n<li>8 meal prep containers<\/strong>: These are crucial for portion control, allowing you to divide your meals evenly and avoid overeating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBuying what’s on sale and in season not only keeps your meal prep budget-friendly but also introduces variety into your meals.<\/p>\n<h2>Cooking Instructions<\/h2>\nHere’s how you can whip up this meal prep masterpiece in a matter of minutes:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Preheat and Prepare<\/strong>: Set your oven to 375\u00b0F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta, and preheat your air fryer to 400\u00b0F for the meatballs.<\/li>\n<li>Cook the Pasta and Meatballs<\/strong>: Boil the rotini until just underdone, about 7 to 8 minutes. You want it slightly firm as it will cook further in the oven. Concurrently, cook the meatballs in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.<\/li>\n<li>Combine Ingredients<\/strong>: Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the cooked meatballs and pour in the pasta sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and meatballs are thoroughly coated.<\/li>\n<li>Assemble the Bake<\/strong>: Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Make sure the meatballs are distributed so each serving gets a fair share.<\/li>\n<li>Top with Cheese<\/strong>: Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, covering as uniformly as possible to ensure each section bakes with a gooey cheese layer.<\/li>\n<li>Bake and Cool<\/strong>: Let it bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Allow the dish to cool slightly before cutting into portions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Final Touches<\/h2>\nWhile the bake is in the oven, multitask by preparing your sides and dessert. Boil the peas and carrots, ensuring they are ready when your main is. Divide them into the small compartments of your meal prep containers. For dessert, strawberries paired with cinnamon-flavored protein bars make a guilt-free treat.<\/p>\n<h2>Portion and Store<\/h2>\nOnce cooled, slice the pasta bake into eight portions and distribute them into your meal prep containers alongside the vegetables. Each meal comes out to about 476 calories, with 30 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a calorie deficit while feeling full and satisfied.<\/p>\nThese meals will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days, and any extras can be frozen for future use. When it’s time to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or oven.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\nThis meatball pasta bake isn’t just a recipe\u2014it’s a strategy. It embodies how thoughtful meal prep can lead to sustained weight loss success without sacrificing taste or satisfaction. By combining budget-friendly shopping habits with mindful portioning, you can create meals that support your health goals while bringing joy back to eating. So, next time stress over meal prep arises, remember this simple yet effective approach, and you’ll be well on your way to culinary and health triumph.<\/p>\n<\/body> \n<\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Meatball Pasta Bake Are you tired of the same old bland meal prep and looking for something that will excite your taste buds while supporting your weight loss goals? Look no further! This blog post introduces you to a delicious, budget-friendly meatball pasta bake that is high in protein, perfect for portion control, and guaranteed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15213","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15213"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15213\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":15213,"date":"2025-03-24T10:01:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T10:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/meal-prep-magic-budget-friendly-meatball-pasta-bake-to-support-your-weight-loss-journey\/"},"modified":"2025-03-24T10:01:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T10:01:31","slug":"meal-prep-magic-budget-friendly-meatball-pasta-bake-to-support-your-weight-loss-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/meal-prep-magic-budget-friendly-meatball-pasta-bake-to-support-your-weight-loss-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Meal Prep Magic: Budget-Friendly Meatball Pasta Bake to Support Your Weight Loss Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Meatball Pasta Bake<\/title> \n<\/head> \n<body><\/p>\nAre you tired of the same old bland meal prep and looking for something that will excite your taste buds while supporting your weight loss goals? Look no further! This blog post introduces you to a delicious, budget-friendly meatball pasta bake that is high in protein, perfect for portion control, and guaranteed to keep you on track with your fat-loss journey. Imagine getting an entire week’s worth of mouthwatering meals ready in under 30 minutes. It’s time to explore how this simple yet flavorful dish helped me lose 130 pounds and maintain my weight for over a decade. So grab your apron and join us as we dive into a recipe that will revolutionize your meal prep routine, bringing joy back to your dining experience without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n<h2>Ingredients and Shopping Tips<\/h2>\nThe beauty of this dish starts with its simplicity and affordability. You only need a few basic ingredients:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>16 oz of pasta<\/strong>: I opted for Barilla rotini, a budget-friendly choice often found on sale. While whole grain options are generally preferred for their fiber content, sometimes budget dictates our choices, and that’s okay.<\/li>\n<li>7 cups of frozen peas and carrots<\/strong>: These versatile veggies from Walmart’s GV brand are not only cost-effective but also delicious and convenient. Keep in mind that frozen vegetables shrink when cooked, so I use extra to ensure I have enough for the recipe.<\/li>\n<li>1 and 3\/4 cups of pizza mozzarella cheese<\/strong>: The Kirkland Signature brand from Costco provides great taste without compromising on calories. Buying cheese in bulk during sales and freezing it is a great way to save money while ensuring you always have some on hand.<\/li>\n<li>32 frozen lean Angus meatballs<\/strong>: These are a staple at our household, available at Walmart. The “Our Finest” brand provides quality and affordability. Buying in bulk allows you to use them in multiple recipes, adding protein to your meals without much hassle.<\/li>\n<li>3 cups of Great Value garlic and herb pasta sauce<\/strong>: The cheapest doesn’t have to mean tasteless. This sauce doubles up as a pizza topping, saving you money and space in your pantry.<\/li>\n<li>8 meal prep containers<\/strong>: These are crucial for portion control, allowing you to divide your meals evenly and avoid overeating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBuying what’s on sale and in season not only keeps your meal prep budget-friendly but also introduces variety into your meals.<\/p>\n<h2>Cooking Instructions<\/h2>\nHere’s how you can whip up this meal prep masterpiece in a matter of minutes:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Preheat and Prepare<\/strong>: Set your oven to 375\u00b0F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta, and preheat your air fryer to 400\u00b0F for the meatballs.<\/li>\n<li>Cook the Pasta and Meatballs<\/strong>: Boil the rotini until just underdone, about 7 to 8 minutes. You want it slightly firm as it will cook further in the oven. Concurrently, cook the meatballs in the air fryer for around 10 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.<\/li>\n<li>Combine Ingredients<\/strong>: Once cooked, drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the cooked meatballs and pour in the pasta sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and meatballs are thoroughly coated.<\/li>\n<li>Assemble the Bake<\/strong>: Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Make sure the meatballs are distributed so each serving gets a fair share.<\/li>\n<li>Top with Cheese<\/strong>: Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, covering as uniformly as possible to ensure each section bakes with a gooey cheese layer.<\/li>\n<li>Bake and Cool<\/strong>: Let it bake for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Allow the dish to cool slightly before cutting into portions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Final Touches<\/h2>\nWhile the bake is in the oven, multitask by preparing your sides and dessert. Boil the peas and carrots, ensuring they are ready when your main is. Divide them into the small compartments of your meal prep containers. For dessert, strawberries paired with cinnamon-flavored protein bars make a guilt-free treat.<\/p>\n<h2>Portion and Store<\/h2>\nOnce cooled, slice the pasta bake into eight portions and distribute them into your meal prep containers alongside the vegetables. Each meal comes out to about 476 calories, with 30 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a calorie deficit while feeling full and satisfied.<\/p>\nThese meals will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days, and any extras can be frozen for future use. When it’s time to eat, simply reheat in the microwave or oven.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\nThis meatball pasta bake isn’t just a recipe\u2014it’s a strategy. It embodies how thoughtful meal prep can lead to sustained weight loss success without sacrificing taste or satisfaction. By combining budget-friendly shopping habits with mindful portioning, you can create meals that support your health goals while bringing joy back to eating. So, next time stress over meal prep arises, remember this simple yet effective approach, and you’ll be well on your way to culinary and health triumph.<\/p>\n<\/body> \n<\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Meatball Pasta Bake Are you tired of the same old bland meal prep and looking for something that will excite your taste buds while supporting your weight loss goals? Look no further! This blog post introduces you to a delicious, budget-friendly meatball pasta bake that is high in protein, perfect for portion control, and guaranteed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15213","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15213"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15213\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}