Cheesy Meatball Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this irresistible Cheesy Meatball Casserole! Juicy, flavor-packed meatballs made with ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and savory Italian seasonings are perfectly browned for maximum flavor. Nestled in a rich marinara sauce and topped with an ooey-gooey blanket of melted mozzarella cheese, this hearty casserole bakes to bubbly perfection in just 40 minutes. Ideal for a crowd-pleasing family dinner or a cozy weeknight meal, it’s simple to make yet bursting with classic Italian-inspired goodness. Garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finishing touch, this cheesy casserole pairs perfectly with crusty bread or a fresh garden salad. Your whole family will be coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs, making approximately 18-20 meatballs.

Step 4

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, if necessary, and brown on all sides, which should take about 5-7 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage as they will finish cooking in the oven.

Step 5

Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.

Step 6

In a 9x13-inch casserole dish, spread a cup of marinara sauce over the bottom. Place the browned meatballs on top of the sauce, then pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, ensuring it's evenly distributed.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Step 11

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1454.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3053.8

Total Fat 211.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 780.7mg	0%
Sodium 7189.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.4g
Protein 174.8g	0%

Vitamin D 84.7IU	0%
Calcium 2289.3mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 1266.7mg	0%

*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: 62.3%

Protein: 22.9%

Carbs: 14.7%