The best meatballs, now baked in a casserole — a guaranteed family favorite. Simple, cheesy, and full of flavor, this dish uses affordable ingredients like ground beef, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs, and a few extras to elevate the classic meatball. Let’s make a comforting meatball casserole you’ll want to serve again and again.
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Melissa Jo’s Meatball Casserole
Melissa Jo
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Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 6-7 cloves chopped garlic
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- 15.5 oz. jar of marinara sauce or use homemade sauce
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella
- Garnish: cracked black pepper and extra chopped fresh parsley
- Nonstick spray or butter to grease the casserole dish
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian breadcrumbs, grated pecorino romano, eggs, salt, and cracked black pepper.
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Gently mix by hand until just combined—avoid overworking the meat so the meatballs stay tender.
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Shape the mixture into about 1½-inch meatballs and arrange them in a greased casserole dish in a single layer.
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Pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs, coating them evenly.
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Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the sauced meatballs for a generous cheese layer.
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Optional: sprinkle a little extra cracked black pepper and chopped parsley on top before baking.
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Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes to cook the meatballs through.
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Carefully remove the foil after the initial bake.
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Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake another 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tops are lightly golden.
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Let the casserole rest a few minutes, then serve with pasta, crusty bread, or a simple salad. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it turned out!