Description
Irresistible Meatball Casserole Parmesan blends hearty Italian flavors with comfort food perfection. Melted cheese, savory meatballs, and rich marinara sauce create a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 large egg
Cheese:
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
Other Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (25 g) breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces (340 g) cooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Craft uniform spherical portions from the meat mixture, ensuring consistent size for even cooking and appealing presentation.
- Incorporate dry and liquid ingredients into the protein base, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious binding that will hold the spheres together during preparation.
- Massage the meat blend gently, avoiding overworking which could result in dense, tough meatballs.
- Arrange the formed meat spheres on a lined baking surface, maintaining slight separation to promote balanced heat circulation and browning.
- Roast the meat portions in a preheated thermal environment, monitoring their transformation from raw to golden-brown and fully cooked.
- Verify internal temperature reaches safe consumption levels, typically around 160°F, using a precision cooking thermometer.
- Allow the roasted meat spheres to rest momentarily, enabling internal juices to redistribute and maintain moisture before incorporating into the casserole.
- Layer the roasted protein portions in a ceramic or glass baking vessel, interspersing with complementary sauce and cheese components.
- Return the assembled dish to the heated environment, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavor profiles.
- Remove from oven when cheese reaches a molten, slightly bubbling state and edges display a tempting golden-brown hue.
- Permit the casserole to settle for several minutes, facilitating easier serving and allowing flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the casserole lighter.
- Add fresh chopped parsley or basil for an extra burst of herbal flavor that brightens the entire dish.
- Test meatball doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 160°F to ensure food safety without overcooking.
- For gluten-free variation, swap traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumb alternatives.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg