Cheesy Meatball Bake Casserole: A Comfort Food Favorite 🍽️✨
Looking for the ultimate comfort food to warm your soul and satisfy every craving? This Cheesy Meatball Bake Casserole is the perfect answer! Packed with flavorful homemade (or store-bought) meatballs, hearty marinara sauce, and layers of gooey, bubbling mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, it’s perfect for cozy family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings. Best of all? It’s incredibly easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs (or use frozen for convenience):
– 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
– 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp Italian seasoning
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
Other Ingredients:
– 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
– Olive oil for greasing
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix well until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
3. Form into golf ball–sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. (Skip this step if using pre-cooked frozen meatballs — just thaw and pat dry.)
4. Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange the cooked meatballs evenly over the sauce.
5. Pour the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce over the meatballs. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired.
6. Generously layer the mozzarella cheese over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan.
7. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Serving Suggestions:
– Serve over spaghetti, zoodles, or your favorite pasta.
– Scoop into crusty sub rolls for cheesy meatball subs.
– Pair with garlic bread and a crisp salad for a complete meal.
This Meatball Bake Casserole is everything you want in a dish: cheesy, saucy, comforting, and customizable. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving Italian-American goodness, this recipe is bound to be a repeat favorite. Don’t forget to tag us when you try it! 🍝🧀❤️
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