Karens Meatball Casserole

Karen's Meatball Casserole is a heartwarming, family-friendly dish brimming with Italian-inspired flavors. This comforting recipe combines tender homemade meatballs, made with a blend of ground beef and pork, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices, nestled in a rich marinara sauce. Whether you layer it over optional pasta like penne or rotini for a complete meal or enjoy it as a standalone dish, the casserole is topped with golden, bubbly mozzarella cheese for that irresistible gooey finish. Perfectly baked to satisfaction, it's a one-dish wonder that’s easy to prepare yet impressive enough for dinner parties. Garnish with fresh basil for a touch of elegance, and serve up this satisfying meal in just one hour. Perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or sharing with guests, this casserole is sure to become a household favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 0.5 lb Ground pork
• 0.5 cup Breadcrumbs
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large Egg
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup Onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 cups Marinara sauce
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 12 oz Pasta (penne or rotini, optional)
• 2 tbsp Fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Step 3

Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and set aside.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches and brown them on all sides. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the casserole.

Step 5

If using pasta, cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 6

In a large casserole dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce along the bottom. If using pasta, layer the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce.

Step 7

Arrange the browned meatballs over the sauce (and pasta, if used). Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully coated.

Step 8

Top the casserole evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 9

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2240.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3813.6

Total Fat 234.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 920.7mg	0%
Sodium 6407.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 190.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 30.3g
Protein 232.0g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 2121.0mg	0%
Iron 19.2mg	0%
Potassium 1667.9mg	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: 55.6%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 20.1%