Description
This meatballs pasta casserole is a comforting, cheesy, and hearty dish made with tender meatballs, marinara sauce, and baked pasta. It’s perfect for family dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
For the Casserole:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
-
Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5 minutes). They don’t need to be fully cooked as they’ll finish in the oven.
-
Assemble the Casserole:
- In a large baking dish, mix cooked pasta, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- Nestle the meatballs into the pasta mixture.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
-
Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.
Notes
- Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Use frozen meatballs for a quicker version—just thaw and add to the casserole.
- Swap beef for ground turkey for a lighter option.