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Fantastic Meatball Casserole

A comforting dish filled with juicy meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) Choose turkey for a lighter option.
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the Casserole
  • 4 cups marinara sauce
  • 3 cups cooked pasta any shape will work
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined. Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, carefully place the meatballs in the skillet, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the meatballs are browned on all sides. Remove from heat and set aside.
Assembly
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large baking dish, pour half of the marinara sauce into the bottom.
  3. Layer the cooked pasta over the sauce.
  4. Top with the browned meatballs and then pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs.
  5. Finally, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top.
Baking
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving
  1. Let the casserole cool slightly before garnishing with fresh basil, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For ingredient substitutions, use ground turkey or chicken for a healthier option and swap cheese according to preference. For a crispy top, broil the casserole for the last 2-3 minutes.