Meatball Casserole

Comfort food reaches a new level with this hearty and irresistible Meatball Casserole. Packed with tender, homemade meatballs crafted from a savory blend of ground beef and pork, this dish pairs the flavors of Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese with al dente penne pasta. Smothered in layers of marinara sauce and gooey, melted mozzarella, it's a flavor-packed baked pasta dish that's perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Quick to assemble, this casserole bakes to bubbly perfection in under an hour and is finished with a touch of fresh basil for a burst of brightness. Easy, comforting, and utterly delicious, this one-pan meal will quickly become a go-to recipe in your home! Ideal for meal prep and leftovers, Meatball Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Egg
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 12 ounces Penne pasta
• 3 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 as needed Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix until well combined, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

Step 3

Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should end up with approximately 20-24 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.

Step 5

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 6

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.

Step 7

Layer the cooked pasta over the marinara sauce, followed by the meatballs. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the top.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole.

Step 9

Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2133.7 grams (2133.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4455

Total Fat 237.20g	304%
Saturated Fat 89.80g	449%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.40g
Cholesterol 877mg	292%
Sodium 6391mg	278%
Total Carbohydrate 327.40g	119%
Dietary Fiber 21.20g	76%
Total Sugars 22.30g
Protein 245.30g	491%

Vitamin D 48IU	240%
Calcium 2084mg	160%
Iron 28mg	158%
Potassium 2070mg	44%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.2%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 29.6%