Description
Savory Meatball Casserole brings comfort and flavor together in one hearty dish. Pasta, juicy meatballs, and melted cheese create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2024 cooked meatballs (thawed if frozen)
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 pound (454 grams) rotini pasta
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) marinara sauce
Cheese and Herbs:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring optimal cooking temperature for the casserole.
- Prepare rotini in a large pot of salted boiling water, cooking until just before reaching al dente texture to prevent overcooking.
- Combine pasta with marinara sauce in a large mixing bowl, incorporating any desired additional seasonings for enhanced flavor.
- Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating an even layer of sauced pasta across the bottom.
- Strategically place meatballs atop the pasta, ensuring uniform distribution for consistent cooking.
- Generously distribute mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the meatballs, creating a rich and creamy topping.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil, creating a loose cover to prevent excessive moisture loss.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to heat through.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese becomes golden and bubbly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the dish to set and flavors to stabilize.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve piping hot for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Use lean ground meat for healthier meatballs with reduced fat content.
- Add extra herbs like basil or oregano to boost the marinara sauce’s flavor profile and create more depth.
- Consider preparing meatballs in advance and freezing them to save time during busy weeknights, allowing for quick meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 542
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1023 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 68 mg