Karens Meatball Casserole
Karen's Meatball Casserole is a heartwarming, family-friendly dish brimming with Italian-inspired flavors. This comforting recipe combines tender homemade meatballs, made with a blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices, nestled in a rich marinara sauce. Whether you layer it over optional pasta like penne or rotini for a complete meal or enjoy it as a standalone dish, the casserole is topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella cheese for that irresistible gooey finish. Perfectly baked to satisfaction, it's a one-dish wonder that’s easy to prepare yet impressive enough for dinner parties. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of elegance, and serve up this satisfying meal in just one hour. Perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or sharing with guests, this casserole is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 0.5 lb Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup Onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 12 oz Pasta (penne or rotini, optional)
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the casserole.
If using pasta, cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large casserole dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce along the bottom. If using pasta, layer the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce.
Arrange the browned meatballs over the sauce (and pasta, if used). Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully coated.
Top the casserole evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired, before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
629 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.1 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 132 mg | 44% | |
| Sodium | 946 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 36.4 g | 73% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 354 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 341 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.
