A delicious and hearty Cheesy Baked Meatball Casserole perfect for family gatherings.
Author:Lorenzo Bonucci
Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:35 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
1½ lb ground beef
½ lb ground pork
1 large egg
¾ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup milk
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
3 cups marinara sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded provolone cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 tbsp fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
Shape: Roll the mixture into about 24 meatballs, approximately 1½ inches each.
Brown the meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for about 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage.
Build the casserole: Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the browned meatballs evenly over the sauce.
Add more sauce: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, making sure they are generously coated.
Add the cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning evenly over the top.
Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Broil: For a golden, bubbly top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Don’t overmix the meatball mixture or the meatballs can become tough.
Ground meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
For extra cheesiness, add a layer of mozzarella halfway through baking and another layer on top.
Serve with garlic bread, a simple green salad, or roasted vegetables.
You can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate them until ready to assemble.