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Bruschetta-Topped Pasta and Meatballs

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  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 50 min
  • Servings 8
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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Mar 10, 2015
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup refrigerated basil pesto (from 7-oz container)
  • 1 can (15 oz) extra-thick and zesty tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste (from 2.8-oz tube)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked fusilli pasta (about 4 1/2 oz)
  • 26 frozen Italian meatballs (about half of 26-oz bag)
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (4 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons refrigerated basil pesto (from 7-oz container)
  • 8 diagonal slices (1/2 inch thick) baguette French bread (from 3-inch diameter loaf)
  • 8 to 10 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps

  • 1
    Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 2-quart microwavable and ovenproof casserole with cooking spray.
  • 2
    In casserole, mix 1/2 cup pesto, the tomato sauce, tomato paste, pepper flakes and water. Cover with microwavable plastic wrap. Microwave on High 3 to 4 minutes or until sauce is hot. Add pasta; stir gently. Stir in meatballs and 1 cup cheese. Push any pasta that sticks up above liquid down into liquid to cover.
  • 3
    Bake 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in small cup or bowl, mix butter and 2 tablespoons pesto. Spread mixture on each baguette slice; set aside.
  • 4
    Remove casserole from oven. Stir pasta; gently fold in cherry tomatoes. Arrange baguette slices, overlapping if necessary, on pasta mixture to cover most of mixture. Cover loosely with foil; bake 10 minutes.
  • 5
    Uncover casserole; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake about 10 minutes longer or until pasta is fork-tender.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    You don't have to cook the pasta before adding it to this casserole, so you can put it together quickly. Just be sure to push any pasta below the surface of the liquid to be sure it gets softened during baking.

Nutrition

540 Calories, 30g Total Fat, 23g Protein, 45g Total Carbohydrate, 5g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
540
Calories from Fat
270
Total Fat
30g
46%
Saturated Fat
10g
48%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
35mg
12%
Sodium
1240mg
52%
Potassium
390mg
11%
Total Carbohydrate
45g
15%
Dietary Fiber
4g
18%
Sugars
5g
Protein
23g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
15%
15%
Vitamin C
6%
6%
Calcium
30%
30%
Iron
30%
30%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
3
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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