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Cheesy Meatballs Casserole

A comforting casserole featuring golden brown meatballs, gooey cheese, and savory marinara sauce, all topped with crispy breadcrumbs.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1 pound ground beef (or Halal-friendly substitute) Feel free to swap with ground chicken or turkey.
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping.
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Use plenty for best results.
Garnish
  • to taste Fresh parsley For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into medium-sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Baking Meatballs
  1. Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until fully cooked through.
Assembling Casserole
  1. In a large casserole dish, spread half of the marinara sauce evenly. Add the baked meatballs on top and pour the remaining marinara sauce over them.
  2. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the dish, followed by the remaining Parmesan cheese.
  3. Place the casserole back in the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  4. Once out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Consider adding finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the meat mixture for added nutrition and flavor. Ensure your marinara sauce is flavorful to prevent dryness.