Meatball Casserole Recipe

You're about to transform your kitchen into a comfort food haven with this classic meatball casserole. Imagine a dish that combines hearty meatballs, perfectly cooked pasta, and rich marinara, all blanketed in melted cheese. It's more than just a meal—it's a culinary experience that'll have your family asking for seconds. Want to know how to create this irresistible dinner that balances simplicity with incredible flavor? Let's get started.

Recipe Highlights

• A classic meatball casserole combines penne pasta, pre-made meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning in a single baking dish.
• Preparation is simple: cook pasta al dente, layer marinara sauce in baking dish, add pasta and meatballs, then top with cheese and seasonings.
• The dish serves multiple people, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and large gatherings with minimal preparation time and effort.
• Customization options include using different cheese varieties, adding vegetables, swapping ingredients, and accommodating various dietary preferences and restrictions.
• Bake the casserole until cheese is melted and bubbly, typically around 20-25 minutes at 375°F, creating a comforting and satisfying one-pan meal.

History

While meatball casseroles might seem like a modern culinary creation, their roots actually stretch back through generations of home cooking traditions.

You'll find the dish evolved from classic Italian-American comfort food, combining immigrant cooking techniques with local ingredients. Meatballs themselves have ancient origins, dating back to Persian and Roman recipes where minced meat was formed into compact, easily prepared protein sources.

As Italian immigrants settled in American cities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they adapted traditional recipes.

You might recognize how these cooks transformed humble ingredients into hearty, filling meals. The casserole format allowed families to stretch expensive proteins, creating economical dishes that could feed multiple people quickly and deliciously.

Recipe

Meatball casserole is a delightful one-dish meal that combines the comfort of pasta, the richness of marinara sauce, and the satisfying heartiness of meatballs. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing dinner that's both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.

With just a few steps, home cooks can create a memorable meal that brings together classic Italian-inspired flavors in a convenient casserole format. The dish is perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or potluck events where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pre-made meatballs
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 16 ounces penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Preheat the oven to 375°F and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with marinara sauce and meatballs, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients throughout the dish.

Sprinkle Italian seasoning over the mixture and top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, creating a delightful crispy top.

To ensure the best results, let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This resting period allows the dish to set and makes serving easier. For added flavor, consider using fresh mozzarella or adding a sprinkle of fresh basil just before serving.

If you're preparing this dish in advance, you can assemble it and refrigerate, adding about 10-15 minutes to the total cooking time when baking from cold.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by gathering and prepping all your ingredients, ensuring everything's ready for seamless assembly.

Next, you'll combine the cooked pasta and marinara sauce with meatballs, creating a hearty base for your casserole.

Then, you'll sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake until the dish transforms into a golden, bubbly masterpiece that'll have everyone at the table eager to dig in.

Step 1. Gather and Prep Ingredients

Four essential components make this meatball casserole recipe a breeze to prepare, starting with gathering your ingredients. You'll want to collect pre-made meatballs, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and Italian seasoning before beginning.

Prep work is key to a smooth cooking process. First, thaw your meatballs completely if they're frozen. Measure out 1 pound of meatballs, 24 ounces of marinara sauce, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, 16 ounces of penne, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.

Organize your ingredients on the counter, ensuring everything is within reach. You'll want to cook the pasta al dente, drain thoroughly, and set aside. Have your baking dish ready, and confirm you've got foil on hand for covering during the initial baking stage.

Step 2. Combine Pasta and Sauce

After draining your perfectly cooked penne, it's time to create a delicious foundation for your meatball casserole. Grab your large baking dish and begin layering the ingredients with precision.

Start by spreading a thin layer of marinara sauce across the bottom, which will prevent sticking and add an initial flavor boost.

Next, add your cooked pasta, making sure it's evenly distributed. Gently nestle the meatballs throughout the pasta, creating a balanced mixture that ensures every bite contains both pasta and protein.

Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top, using a spatula to coat the ingredients thoroughly.

Sprinkle your Italian seasoning across the surface, distributing the herbs evenly for maximum flavor penetration.

Your casserole is now ready for its cheesy crown of mozzarella.

Step 3. Sprinkle Seasoning Evenly

Precisely distribute your Italian seasoning across the meatball casserole's surface, using a light sprinkling motion that ensures even herb coverage.

Hold the seasoning container about 6 inches above the dish, allowing the herbs to fall gently and uniformly across the pasta, meatballs, and sauce.

• Use your fingertips to crumble dried herbs if they're clumped
• Move your hand in a steady, sweeping motion
• Aim for consistent distribution without dense clusters

The goal is creating a balanced flavor profile where each bite receives an equal measure of herbaceous undertones.

Gently tap the container to release any remaining seasoning, making sure no section feels under-seasoned.

Your careful approach will transform the casserole from simple to spectacular, infusing depth and complexity into this comforting dish.

Step 4. Top With Cheese

Since cheese forms the golden crown of your meatball casserole, you'll want to distribute the mozzarella evenly across the entire surface for maximum flavor and visual appeal.

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella in a uniform layer, ensuring complete coverage from edge to edge of the dish. You'll aim for about 2 cups of cheese, which translates to roughly 1/2 cup per serving.

Key cheese-topping tips:

• Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting
• Spread cheese in a thin, consistent layer
• Cover the entire pasta and meatball mixture
• Choose full-fat mozzarella for optimal golden, bubbly results

The cheese will create a beautiful golden-brown crust that'll make your casserole look as delicious as it tastes.

Step 5. Bake Until Cheese Melts

When the casserole is assembled and ready, you'll want to bake it carefully to achieve that perfect golden, melty cheese topping. Place the covered baking dish in your preheated 375°F oven, and let it cook for 25 minutes, which allows the meatballs to heat through and the flavors to meld seamlessly.

Then, remove the foil carefully, exposing the cheese layer to direct heat. This uncovered baking stage is crucial for creating that irresistible golden-brown crust. Watch closely during the final 10 minutes, looking for these visual cues:

• Bubbling cheese edges
• Slight browning across the surface
• Cheese turning from white to golden

The cheese should look perfectly melted, with occasional crispy spots that add delightful texture to your casserole.

Final Thoughts

This meatball casserole brings together simplicity and flavor in a way that'll make your weeknight dinners something to look forward to.

You'll appreciate how effortlessly this dish transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated. The key is in the layering: perfectly cooked pasta, hearty meatballs, and that irresistible blanket of melted cheese.

Remember that resting the casserole for 10 minutes after baking helps it set and intensifies the flavors.

Whether you're cooking for family or prepping a potluck contribution, this recipe offers flexibility and consistent deliciousness. You can easily customize it with different cheeses, seasonings, or by adding vegetables.

Ultimately, it's a foolproof dish that'll become a staple in your recipe collection.