Cheddar Meatball Casserole
Dive into pure comfort with this irresistible Cheddar Meatball Casserole, a hearty and flavor-packed dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Tender meatballs, crafted from a savory mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, are seared to perfection before being nestled in a blanket of rich marinara sauce. A generous layer of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses crowns this baked masterpiece, creating a gooey, golden top that’s impossible to resist. With simple pantry staples like breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and aromatic spices, this casserole comes together in just an hour, serving as a satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and serve it with crusty bread or a fresh salad for the ultimate comfort food experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 lb Italian sausage
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overwork the meat mixture.
Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, making about 20-24 meatballs, and place them on a clean plate.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides (about 5-6 minutes per batch). They do not need to be cooked through at this stage. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Spread half of the marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer over the sauce.
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully coated. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3844 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 292.1 g | 374% | |
| Saturated Fat | 127.7 g | 638% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1064 mg | 355% | |
| Sodium | 7580 mg | 330% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 84.2 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.9 g | ||
| Protein | 230.6 g | 461% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.6 mcg | 18% | |
| Calcium | 2839 mg | 218% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 1912 mg | 41% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
