Meatball Macaroni Bake
Dive into comfort food heaven with this irresistible Meatball Macaroni Bake! This family-friendly casserole combines tender, oven-baked meatballs made from seasoned ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian spices with perfectly al dente elbow macaroni, all smothered in rich marinara sauce and gooey, melty mozzarella cheese. Baked to golden perfection in just under an hour, this hearty dish is as delicious as it is easy to prepare. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing potluck, this recipe serves six and can be garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a simple yet elegant finishing touch. Whether you're craving comfort or looking to use staple pantry ingredients, this cheesy pasta bake is sure to become a go-to favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 unit large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly combined.
Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until slightly browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
While the meatballs are baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, marinara sauce, and baked meatballs. Stir gently to evenly distribute.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread it out in an even layer.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the macaroni and meatball mixture.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4105 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 161.4 g | 207% | |
| Saturated Fat | 67.9 g | 340% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 668 mg | 223% | |
| Sodium | 6420 mg | 279% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 423.5 g | 154% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.4 g | 87% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.0 g | ||
| Protein | 225.2 g | 450% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 2013 mg | 155% | |
| Iron | 29.2 mg | 162% | |
| Potassium | 1262 mg | 27% | |
*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.
