🧀🍝 Cheesy Meatball Casserole
This is a rich, baked comfort dish with juicy meatballs, marinara sauce, and a thick layer of melted cheese—like a cross between baked pasta and meatball parm.
🛒 Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 500g ground beef or mixed mince Beef
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or oregano
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan (optional)
Sauce & base:
- 2–3 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
Cheese layer:
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese Parmesan cheese
Optional base:
- Cooked pasta (penne or spaghetti) Pasta
🔥 Step 1: Make the meatballs
- Mix beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Roll into small meatballs.
- Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes or pan-fry until browned.
🍅 Step 2: Assemble the casserole
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a baking dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce.
- Add cooked meatballs.
- (Optional) Add a layer of cooked pasta.
- Pour more sauce over everything.
🧀 Step 3: Add cheese
- Sprinkle mozzarella generously on top.
- Add parmesan for extra flavor.
🔥 Step 4: Bake
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
🍽️ Step 5: Serve
- Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like.
😋 Result
You get:
- Juicy, seasoned meatballs
- Rich tomato sauce
- Gooey melted cheese topping
- Optional pasta for a full meal
If you want, I can also make:
- 🧄 Garlic bread meatball casserole version
- 🌶️ Spicy arrabbiata meatball bake
- 🥦 Low-carb cheesy meatball bake (no pasta)
