Making Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake can be straightforward. Follow these steps for delicious results:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Make Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about one inch in diameter.
5. Brown Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides (about 8-10 minutes). They don’t need to be fully cooked as they’ll finish in the oven.
6. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir until everything is well coated.
7. Layer in Casserole: Spread half of the pasta mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the meatballs evenly on top, and then cover with the remaining pasta mixture.
8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
9. Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

These straightforward steps will yield a delightful and comforting Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake that everyone will enjoy.