Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole
Loaded with hearty flavors and ooey-gooey cheese, this Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Juicy homemade meatballs made with a blend of ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan, and Italian herbs are browned to perfection before being nestled into a bed of pasta tossed with rich marinara sauce. Topped generously with melted mozzarella and baked until golden and bubbly, this one-dish meal combines the best of classic Italian flavors in an easy-to-make casserole. Ready in just over an hour and garnished with fresh basil for a pop of color and freshness, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for feeding a hungry group or meal prepping for the week. Pair it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a truly satisfying dinner experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 1 large Egg
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 12 ounces Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined but do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a plate or tray.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, brown the meatballs in batches until they are golden on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. They don't need to be cooked through as they will finish cooking in the oven.
While the meatballs are browning, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large baking dish (9x13 inches), spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish.
Add the cooked pasta to the baking dish and mix it with 2 cups of marinara sauce, reserving 1/2 cup of sauce for later.
Nestle the browned meatballs into the pasta mixture and pour the remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the top.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
624 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.2 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.0 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 132 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 944 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 36.6 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 348 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 323 mg | 7% | |
*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.
