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Meatball Casserole Recipe

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This Meatball Casserole recipe features homemade meatballs, tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and a cheesy topping. It's an easy comfort food perfect for weeknight dinners. Ingredients include ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, pasta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Follow simple steps to prepare, bake, and enjoy this Italian-style casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or Italian-style)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)

For the Casserole:

  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Form into meatballs.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, then remove from the pan.
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a casserole dish, layer cooked pasta, marinara sauce, browned meatballs, and cheeses. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For a time-saving option, use store-bought meatballs.
  • You can prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake.
  • Customize with other cheeses like provolone or fontina for a more complex flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingwithsandra.com/meatball-casserole-recipe/