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    Home » Main Dish Recipes » Casserole Recipes

    Meatball Casserole

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    Posted July 25, 2022 by Wendy Polisi

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    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Whether you need a tasty weeknight meal or something special for a party, give this Meatball Casserole recipe a try.   It is easy to make, and the leftovers are just as good as the meal itself.  Best of all,  it's always a hit with kids and adults alike!

    Close up overhead photo of a bowl of meatball casserole.

    Looking for an easy and delicious casserole recipe that the whole family will love? Look no further than this meatball bake recipe.! 

    It is pure cheesy comfort food that never gets old.

    Give it a try today - you won't be disappointed!

    Ingredients for Making Meatball Casserole Recipe

    Overhead photo of the ingredients for meatball casserole: marinara, ground beef, mozzarella, ricotta, eggs, penne, parmesan, breadcrumbs, and seasonings.
    • Ground Beef: I use 80/20 ground beef for the most flavor. To make this dish lighter, you could also use ground turkey.
    • Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are my favorite for this recipe, but you could also use regular breadcrumbs. Gluten-free breadcrumbs would also work.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Grated parmesan cheese adds a delicious depth of flavor to the meatballs.
    • Eggs: The eggs help bind the meatballs together.
    • Italian Seasoning: I love the flavor of Italian seasoning in this recipe. If you don't have any on hand, you could use a combination of oregano, basil, and thyme.
    • Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is a must, in my opinion! Feel free to add more or less, depending on your preference.
    • Salt and Pepper: I like to use sea salt and fresh ground black pepper in this recipe.
    • Pasta: I like penne, but you could also use another type of pasta, such as rigatoni or shells. 
    • Marinara Sauce:  If you're looking for a homemade marinara sauce recipe, this one is my favorite.
    • Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese adds a creamy element to the casserole. You could probably also use cottage cheese or cream cheese, but I haven't tested this.
    • Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella cheese is best in this recipe, but you could also use shredded mozzarella cheese.

    Tips & Tricks for Making Meatball Pasta Casserole

    • You can make and bake your meatballs a day ahead of time to make putting this casserole together a cinch.
    • I like to use ground beef for my meatballs, but you could use a combination of ground beef and pork if you prefer. Turkey or chicken meatballs also work.
    • If you're short on time, you could use store-bought marinara sauce instead of making your own.
    • This casserole can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a large crowd. 
    • For a super-quick dump and bake meatball casserole, you can use purchased fully cooked frozen meatballs and jarred sauce in this recipe.

    Serving Suggestions

    A vegetable side is all it takes to make this Meatball Casserole a complete meal. Some great options include:

    • Garlic Roasted Broccoli
    • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Roasted Cauliflower
    • Sauteed Kale

    I hope you enjoy this Meatball Casserole recipe! If you try it, please comment and let me know how it turned out. Enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    What’s the Best Beef for Meatball Casserole?


    There are many different types of beef that you can use for meatball casserole. The most important factor is choosing ground beef with high-fat content. 

    This will ensure that your meatballs are flavorful and moist. I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for the best results.

    Do I Have to Brown the Meatballs Before Baking?


    No, you don't have to brown the meatballs before baking. However, you can if you want to.

    Can Meatballs be Baked?


    Yes, meatballs can be baked. Baking is one of the best methods for cooking meatballs because it helps to prevent them from drying out.

    How do I make sure my meatballs don't fall apart?


    You can do a few things to ensure that your meatballs don't fall apart. 

    First, make sure that you're using high-fat ground beef. 

    Second, be careful not to overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing can cause the meatballs to be tough and dry.

    Adding binders, like breadcrumbs and eggs, helps meatballs stay together.
    Finally, make sure that you don't overcook them.

    Cook the meatballs just until they are cooked through.

    Tools Needed to Make Cheesy Meatball Casserole

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying sales.

    • Pot
    • Bowl
    • Baking Sheet
    • Cookie Scoop
    • Strainer
    • Casserole Dish

    Storage

    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

    Reheating instructions: To reheat, simply place the desired amount of casserole in a baking dish and heat at 350 degrees until warmed through. If it looks dry, you may need to add a little water to the dish.

    How to Make Meatball Casserole

    First, start by preheating the oven to 475 degrees. Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

    Photo of a bowl with ground beef, egg, seasonings, breadcrumbs, and parmesan.
    Photo of meatballs on a wire rack set on top of a baking sheet.

    While the water is boiling, combine the ground beef, panko, parmesan, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

    Be careful not to overmix.

    Form the mixture into 35 meatballs using a small cookie scoop. Place the meatballs on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 11 minutes, or until cooked through.

    Photo of meatballs in a bowl with marinara.
    Photo of marinara at the bottom of a white casserole dish.

    While the meatballs are cooking, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

    Once the meatballs are cooked, reduce the oven to 350 degrees. Transfer the meatballs to a large bowl and add the cooked pasta.

    Toss with some of the marinara sauce.

    Photo of meatballs and penne in a casserole dish.
    Photo of meatballs and penne pasta tossed with marinara in a casserole dish.

    Pour ¼ cup of the marinara into the bottom of a 13 x 9 casserole dish and spread it out. Add the pasta and meatballs on top and spread into an even layer. Dollop with the ricotta cheese. 

    Top with 3 cups of marinara and the mozzarella cheese.

    Bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. (If the top gets too brown, you can cover it with aluminum foil.) 

    Photo of meatballs, marinara, and penne pasta topped with ricotta cheese.
    Overhead photo of a white casserole dish with a meatball casserole in it ready for the oven.

    Allow cooling slightly before serving. Garnish with a sprinkling of parsley or other fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!

    More Recipes with Meatballs

    If you like this meatball pasta bake, here are more meatball dinner ideas you are sure to love!

    • This Meatball Sub Recipe is a family favorite!  I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made it.  Give it a try; I think you will love this recipe as much as I do.
    • These Greek Meatballs have a creamy feta sauce that is crave-worthy.  Serve these as an appetizer or a main course.
    • Slow Cooker Chipotle Meatballs are one of my favorite easy recipes.  Serve them over pasta or with toothpicks as an appetizer on your next buffet.
    • Gluten-Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs are perfect for the next time you crave spaghetti and meatballs.
    Overhead photo of a bowl of meatball casserole sitting beneath a casserole dish.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Instagram, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Close up square photo of a bowl of meatball casserole.
    Print Recipe
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    Meatball Casserole

    This meatball casserole recipe is sure to become a family favorite! Give it a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below. Happy cooking!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time31 mins
    Total Time51 mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Keyword: casserole
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 583kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 3 eggs beaten
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
    • Casserole
    • 1 pound penne pasta
    • 4 cups marinara sauce divided (such as CrockPot marinara)
    • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
    • 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 475° F.
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    • In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko, parmesan, eggs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Form into 35 meatballs using a small cookie scoop to portion out the meatballs.
    • Transfer the meatballs to a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Cook for 11 minutes until cooked through.
    • While the meatballs are cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions.
    • Reduce the oven to 350 ° F.
    • Transfer the meatballs to a large bowl and add the drained cooked pasta.
    • Toss ¾ cup of the marinara with the cooked pasta and meatballs.
    • Place ¼ cup of the marinara in the bottom of a 13 x 9 casserole dish and add the pasta and meatballs on top.
    • Dollop with the ricotta cheese.
    • Top with the remaining 3 cups of marinara and mozzarella cheese.
    • Bake for 20 minutes.
    • Allow to cool slightly before serving

    Nutrition

    Calories: 583kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1220mg | Potassium: 642mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 869IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 356mg | Iron: 4mg

    Filed Under:

    Beef RecipesCasserole RecipesMain Dish Recipes

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    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

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    1. flappy bird

      February 04, 2023 at 8:13 am

      great! it looks delicious

      Reply

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