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
Scale
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
