Meatball Casserole
Comfort food reaches a new level with this hearty and irresistible Meatball Casserole. Packed with tender, homemade meatballs crafted from a savory blend of ground beef and pork, this dish pairs the flavors of Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese with al dente penne pasta. Smothered in layers of marinara sauce and gooey, melted mozzarella, it's a flavor-packed baked pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Quick to assemble, this casserole bakes to bubbly perfection in under an hour and is finished with a touch of fresh basil for a burst of brightness. Easy, comforting, and utterly delicious, this one-pan meal will quickly become a go-to recipe in your home! Ideal for meal prep and leftovers, Meatball Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 0.5 pound Ground pork
- 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 3 cups Marinara sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 as needed Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until well combined, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should end up with approximately 20-24 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
Layer the cooked pasta over the marinara sauce, followed by the meatballs. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.
Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4455 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 237.2 g | 304% | |
| Saturated Fat | 89.8 g | 449% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 877 mg | 292% | |
| Sodium | 6391 mg | 278% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 327.4 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.2 g | 76% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.3 g | ||
| Protein | 245.3 g | 491% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 2084 mg | 160% | |
| Iron | 28.4 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 2070 mg | 44% | |
*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.
