Description
Hearty meatball casserole brings Italian comfort to dinner tables with rich layers of flavor. Creamy cheese, savory marinara, and tender meatballs create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 12 ounces (340 grams) meatballs
Pasta and Cheese:
- 1 pound (454 grams) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 24 ounces (680 grams) marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for even cooking.
- Cook pasta following package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Gently form the meat mixture into uniform, bite-sized meatballs, ensuring they are compact and well-shaped.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and carefully brown meatballs on all sides for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked through.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and browned meatballs until evenly distributed.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta-meatball mixture, spreading it out evenly.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving for added aroma and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a lighter, healthier version of the casserole.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lower-calorie or vegetarian adaptation.
- Experiment with whole wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor.
- Prep meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for quick weeknight meal preparation, saving time and reducing stress during cooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg