If you’ve ever craved cozy, irresistible comfort food, this Meatball Casserole Recipe is the answer you’ve been waiting for. Imagine fork-tender meatballs blanketed in gooey mozzarella and bubbling marinara, all beautifully baked together. This dish brings all the familiar flavors of classic Italian-American fare but with half the fuss and a whole lot more love. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or looking for a weeknight winner, prepare to swoon over every cheesy, saucy bite of this family favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what makes this classic so comforting: a handful of ingredients that work in harmony to create layers of flavor, satisfying texture, and an incredibly inviting aroma. Each component in the Meatball Casserole Recipe matters—let’s give them their moment to shine!
- Ground beef (1 ½ pounds): The backbone of the casserole, offering rich flavor and classic meatball juiciness.
- Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup): These keep the meatballs tender by soaking up juices and preventing them from getting tough.
- Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup, plus 1/4 cup for topping): Adds a nutty, salty kick inside the meatballs and a golden crust on top.
- Large egg (1): The binding agent that holds your meatballs together for perfect texture.
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Brings unmatched aroma and a punch of flavor to every bite.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): A harmonious blend of herbs that infuses the meatballs with a distinctly Mediterranean character.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and keeps everything well-seasoned.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat that balances all the richer notes.
- Marinara sauce (2 cups): The classic, tangy tomato base that bathes the meatballs in comforting, craveable goodness.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Melts into dreamy, gooey strings on top of your casserole.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon, optional): Gives you perfectly browned, slightly crispy meatball exteriors for extra flavor and texture.
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (as garnish): Adds a fresh, vibrant finish to your casserole.
How to Make Meatball Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Meatball Base
Start by grabbing a big mixing bowl. Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan, one egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything just until combined—don’t overwork it, or your meatballs could get tough. This gentle approach keeps them perfectly juicy and tender in your Meatball Casserole Recipe.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
With clean hands (or a trusty cookie scoop), form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get about 22–24 generous meatballs. Keeping them evenly sized means they’ll bake up at the same pace, ensuring every bite is as good as the next.
Step 3: Optional Browning for Extra Flavor
If you have a few extra minutes, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs for 2–3 minutes per side. This step is optional, but it adds a little extra savoriness and a tantalizing crust that makes your Meatball Casserole Recipe even more mouthwatering.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Transfer your meatballs to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the top, making sure every meatball gets a lovely tomato bath. Then, scatter the shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan over everything—this is where the magic (and cheese pulls) happen.
Step 5: Bake to Bubbly Perfection
Cover the casserole with foil and bake in your preheated 375°F oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and just starting to turn golden. You’ll know it’s ready the moment your kitchen smells absolutely irresistible.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle your hot casserole with plenty of freshly chopped basil or parsley to add a pop of color and herbal brightness. Now, you’re ready to bring it to the table and watch everyone dive in!
How to Serve Meatball Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A final flourish of fresh basil or parsley right before serving will not only add bursts of herby goodness but also make the dish look as vibrant as it tastes. For a fancier touch, a little extra sprinkle of grated Parmesan over the top just before serving never hurts!
Side Dishes
This casserole loves company! You can plate it over a bed of spaghetti, creamy mashed potatoes, or even serve it solo with hunks of crusty bread to soak up every drip of sauce. If you’re after a lighter meal, a simple green salad tossed with a zippy vinaigrette on the side works wonders.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking the casserole in individual ramekins for personalized portions, or serve the meatballs as sliders at a casual gathering. Another fun idea: spoon a few meatballs and sauce into toasted hoagie rolls, top with more cheese, and give them a quick broil for meatball subs that’ll get rave reviews!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), store the cooled Meatball Casserole Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep well for up to 4 days, and the flavors only seem to deepen and meld as it sits.
Freezing
This casserole is perfect for prepping ahead! You can assemble the whole thing, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. Or freeze in individual portions after cooking. Just be sure to wrap carefully to prevent freezer burn, and label with the date.
Reheating
To reheat, cover and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through and the cheese is melty again—usually about 20 minutes if reheating the whole dish. For quick single servings, the microwave also works, but add a splash of extra sauce to keep things juicy!
FAQs
Can I use a mix of ground meats?
Absolutely! Try half ground beef and half Italian sausage for richer flavor, or swap in ground turkey for a lighter take. Any ground meat blend works well in this Meatball Casserole Recipe as long as you keep the ratios the same.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can fully assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you’re starting from cold.
Which marinara sauce works best?
Use your favorite store-bought marinara for convenience, or simmer up a homemade batch if you have the time. A thicker sauce helps prevent the casserole from getting too soupy, but any good-quality marinara will work beautifully.
Is it gluten-free?
As written, this dish contains breadcrumbs, but you can swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs without sacrificing texture or flavor. Make sure your marinara and seasonings are gluten-free, too.
What should I do if my meatballs fall apart?
Be sure to mix the ingredients until just combined and don’t skip the egg or breadcrumbs, as both are essential for holding your meatballs together in the Meatball Casserole Recipe. Forming slightly firmer meatballs and chilling them for 10–15 minutes before browning or baking can also help!
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to imagine a more rewarding comfort food than this Meatball Casserole Recipe—it’s warm, hearty, and perfect for sharing with loved ones. If you’re looking for a dish that wows without a lot of work, give this recipe a try. Your dinner table is about to get a whole lot more inviting!
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Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Meatball Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner. Juicy meatballs are baked in a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for browning)
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Shape into meatballs.
- Brown the meatballs: Optionally, brown the meatballs in olive oil in a skillet.
- Assemble the casserole: Place the meatballs in a baking dish, pour marinara sauce over them, top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
- For extra flavor, use a blend of ground beef and Italian sausage.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for later baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
