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Meatball Casserole

A warm, bubbling Meatball Casserole featuring tender meatballs in rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for family gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey Use ground beef or turkey as per preference.
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs Regular or gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used.
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 large egg
Casserole Assembly
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Use your favorite marinara sauce.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are fully combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into meatballs—about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should end up with 16-20 meatballs, depending on your size preference.
  4. For extra flavor, you can brown the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until golden. This step is optional.
Assembly and Cooking
  1. In a baking dish, pour half of the marinara sauce to cover the bottom. Place the meatballs on top, and pour the rest of the marinara sauce over them. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top.
  2. Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  3. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy it with your favorite side dishes!

Notes

For substitutions, try ground chicken or plant-based ground meat. Keep an eye on the cheese during the last few minutes; cover with aluminum foil if it’s browning too quickly. Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture, or the meatballs may become dense.