Description

A comforting and cheesy baked casserole featuring juicy homemade meatballs in a creamy marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. Ideal for cozy dinners, potlucks, or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large egg

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups marinara sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Olive oil (for browning meatballs)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil. Brown the meatballs in batches for 5–7 minutes, turning to sear all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked. Set aside.
In the same skillet, pour in the marinara sauce. If using, stir in red pepper flakes for heat. Add cream cheese and stir until smooth and melted.
Return the meatballs to the skillet and gently coat them in the creamy marinara sauce.
Transfer everything to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
Let cool slightly, then garnish with fresh basil and black olives if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.

Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra vegetables.

Mix ground beef with spicy Italian sausage for added flavor.

Make it low-carb by substituting almond flour for breadcrumbs.

Add a layer of cooked pasta or rice underneath the meatballs for a one-dish meal.

Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a crispier cheese topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 480
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 740mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 105mg