Description
Enjoy a comforting cheesy meatballs casserole with tender homemade meatballs in marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Ideal for family dinners, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that brings warmth and flavor to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, yielding around 20-24 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake the meatballs for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through and browned. Check for doneness by cutting one in half; it should no longer be pink in the center.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.
- Place the cooked meatballs on top of the sauce in a single layer.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are well covered.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Using a spatula, carefully scoop out portions of the casserole and place them on plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the meatballs by adding your favorite herbs or spices.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes