Description
Italian-inspired meatball pasta casserole blends hearty flavors and comforting textures into one irresistible dish. Cheese-topped layers of tender meatballs and perfectly cooked pasta promise a satisfying meal that draws diners closer with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 large egg
Cheese:
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Herbs, Seasonings, and Other Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C), creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Create meatballs by gently combining ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Shape the meat mixture into uniform 1-inch spheres, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Sear meatballs in a hot skillet with olive oil, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior. Cook approximately 5 minutes, allowing exterior to caramelize without fully cooking the interior.
- Select a spacious baking dish and layer cooked pasta with marinara sauce, incorporating additional Italian seasoning for enhanced flavor.
- Carefully embed browned meatballs throughout the pasta, distributing them evenly to ensure each serving contains meat.
- Generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a rich, melty surface.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and slide into the preheated oven, baking for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Remove foil for the final 10 minutes, allowing cheese to transform into a bubbling, golden-brown crust.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess fat and create lighter, healthier meatballs without compromising flavor.
- Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to prevent tough, dense texture; gently combine ingredients until just incorporated.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences or to create a lighter protein option.
- Precook meatballs thoroughly if preparing for individuals with food safety concerns, ensuring internal temperature reaches 160°F for complete doneness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg