Cheesy Baked Meatball Casserole
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
1 lb (450g) ground beef (or half beef + half pork)
½ cup breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the casserole:
3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar (optional, for extra flavor)
Extra Parmesan for topping
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Make the meatballs
In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, and seasonings.
Roll into small meatballs (about 1–1.5 inches).
Cook the meatballs
You can pan-fry them in a little olive oil until browned, OR bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes.
Assemble the casserole
In a baking dish, spread half of the marinara sauce.
Place meatballs evenly on top.
Pour remaining marinara over meatballs.
Sprinkle generously with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve with garlic bread, pasta, or over rice.