Paula Deen's Layered Meatball Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with Paula Deen's Layered Meatball Casserole, a hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. This recipe combines tender rotini pasta, savory marinara-coated meatballs, and creamy ricotta cheese, layered with a trio of gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for maximum flavor. The casserole is baked to golden, bubbling perfection, creating a dish that's as visually appealing as it is delicious. With its quick prep time, use of convenient frozen meatballs, and a foolproof layering technique, this casserole guarantees rich, cheesy bites in every forkful. Serve it with a simple green salad and garlic bread, and you've got a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests. Keywords: easy meatball casserole, layered pasta bake, cheesy casserole recipe, family dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 24 pieces frozen meatballs
• 12 ounces rotini pasta
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and toss with the olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, the egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until creamy and set aside.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat until warmed through. Add the frozen meatballs to the sauce and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through.

Step 5

Spread 1 cup of the marinara sauce with meatballs evenly across the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 6

Add half of the cooked pasta in an even layer over the sauce.

Step 7

Dollop and spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the pasta.

Step 8

Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture.

Step 9

Layer half of the remaining marinara sauce with the meatballs on top.

Step 10

Repeat the layers: add the remaining pasta, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce with meatballs.

Step 11

Finish by sprinkling the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.

Step 12

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

Step 13

Remove the foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 14

Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3728.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8850.1

Total Fat 566.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 233.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 1792.8mg	0%
Sodium 22664.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 499.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.5g	0%
Total Sugars 79.8g
Protein 451.4g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 4680.5mg	0%
Iron 59.9mg	0%
Potassium 6165.9mg	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: 57.3%

Protein: 20.3%

Carbs: 22.4%