Description
This hearty Meatball Casserole combines tender meatballs made from ground beef and Italian sausage baked in a rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and provolone cheeses. Perfect for a comforting Italian-American main course, it’s easy to assemble and bake, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or meal prep option.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Toppings
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Other
- Olive oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
- Add Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs, covering them mostly to keep them moist during baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes to cook the meatballs through while infusing flavors.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the casserole with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Serve hot, optionally over pasta, rice, or in sub rolls as a sandwich.
Notes
- Serve this casserole over pasta, rice, or stuff into sub rolls for delicious meatball sandwiches.
- For a low-carb option, substitute almond flour for the breadcrumbs in the meatball mixture.
- You can prepare the casserole ahead and freeze it before baking; just thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 830mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
