Casserole with meat balls

Here’s a tasty recipe for a Meatball Casserole that combines savory meatballs with a flavorful sauce and melted cheese, all baked together for a comforting dish!

Ingredients:

• For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, or chicken
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• For the Casserole:

  • 1 jar (about 24 oz) marinara sauce (or homemade)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup cooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Make the Meatballs:

   • In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix until just combined.
   • Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

3. Cook the Meatballs:

   • In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the meatballs and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked through, as they will finish cooking in the oven.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and marinara sauce. Stir in the browned meatballs until everything is well coated.

5. Assemble the Casserole:

   • Pour the pasta and meatball mixture into a greased 9x13-inch (or similar size) baking dish. Spread evenly.
   • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

6. Bake:

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
   • After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Tips:

• You can add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the pasta mixture for extra nutrition.
• For a bit of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.

Enjoy your delicious Meatball Casserole!