Print

Cozy Meatball Casserole Recipe: Easy Comfort Food for Dinner

meatball casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

This Cozy Meatball Casserole is a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying family meal with tender meatballs, tangy marinara sauce, and gooey cheese baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lb cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  3. Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture into balls, approximately 20 meatballs.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a splash of olive oil. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned all over but not cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
  5. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  6. In your baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce evenly across the bottom. Add the cooked pasta in an even layer, then nestle the browned meatballs into the pasta. Pour the remaining marinara sauce and chicken broth over the top.
  7. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
  9. Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the meatballs for added flavor. Use short pasta like penne or rigatoni for the best results. Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish. The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated; add 10 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball casserole, comfort food, family dinner, Italian recipe, cheesy casserole, easy dinner

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/cozy-meatball-casserole-recipe-easy-comfort-food-for-dinner/