Description
This cheesy, saucy Meatball Casserole brings everything you love about comfort food into one easy dish. Perfect for weeknights or cozy weekends, it features tender homemade meatballs baked in marinara and topped with melty mozzarella.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, finely minced
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
2. Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs on all sides until browned but not cooked through.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. In a large baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce. Add browned meatballs. Pour remaining sauce over top.
6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly across the top.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
8. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Do not overmix the meatball mixture—gentle mixing keeps them tender.
Browning the meatballs before baking enhances both texture and flavor.
For a make-ahead option, assemble the casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6th of recipe)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: meatball casserole, baked meatballs, cheesy casserole, Italian comfort food