Warm & Cozy Hearty Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe for Family

Comfort arrives in a steaming dish of hearty meatball pasta casserole that promises pure culinary bliss.

Layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and perfectly seasoned meatballs create a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Each bite tells a delicious story of home-cooked warmth and satisfaction.

Melted cheese blankets the casserole with golden, irresistible goodness.

Crafted with simple ingredients and bold flavors, this recipe transforms weeknight dinners into memorable feasts.

The combination of savory meatballs and al dente pasta guarantees smiles around the table.

Prepare to savor every comforting, delectable forkful of this irresistible meal.

Serving Tips for Meatball Pasta on a Busy Night

• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the casserole right before serving to add a burst of color and bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the rich cheesy dish.
• Family-Style Plating: Bring the entire casserole directly to the table in its baking dish for a warm, inviting presentation that encourages everyone to dig in together and share the meal.
• Side Salad Pairing: Serve with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the hearty pasta and provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, cheesy meatball casserole.
• Garlic Bread Companion: Slice and toast some crusty garlic bread on the side to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and add an extra layer of comfort to this satisfying meal.

How to Store Meatball Casserole the Right Way

• Store the casserole in an airtight container, keeping it refrigerated for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole in freezer-safe wrap or containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual servings in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of extra marinara sauce to prevent drying. For larger portions, use the oven at 350F, covering with foil to retain moisture and ensure even heating.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Assemble and bake just before serving to maintain the perfect texture and flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Build Meatball Pasta Casserole

• Pasta: Provides hearty structure and texture, choose medium-sized pasta like penne or rigatoni for better sauce retention.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian tomato sauce delivers rich, tangy flavor and moisture to the dish.

• Ground Beef: Protein-rich foundation for tender, juicy meatballs, select 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and moisture.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meatballs and creates light, tender texture, opt for plain or Italian-seasoned varieties.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory depth and helps bind meatball mixture, choose freshly grated for maximum flavor.
• Egg: Acts as crucial binding agent ensuring meatballs hold together perfectly.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic punch and traditional Italian flavor, fresh minced garlic offers most intense taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers authentic herb blend with oregano, basil, and thyme for classic Mediterranean profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings enhancing overall taste and balancing meat's richness.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown meatballs and adds subtle fruity undertone, extra virgin provides best flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates irresistible melty, stretchy top layer, fresh mozzarella recommended for creamiest result.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides golden, crispy cheese crust with sharp, nutty finish.

Equipment Needed for Meatball Pasta Casserole Night

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining meatball ingredients and mixing thoroughly.
• Skillet: Essential for browning meatballs evenly over medium heat.
• Baking dish: Spacious dish for assembling and baking the entire casserole.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing ingredients and stirring pasta.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
• Foil: Used to cover the casserole during initial baking.

How to Layer and Bake a Hearty Meatball Casserole

• Boil Pasta

Warm up your oven to a toasty 375F. Cook pasta until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside.

• Craft Meatballs

Blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, and seasonings. Roll into bite-sized balls. Sizzle them in a skillet with olive oil until golden brown, giving them a delicious crispy exterior.

• Layer and Assemble

Spread pasta in a baking dish and mix with marinara sauce. Nestle the meatballs throughout the pasta, creating little flavor pockets. Shower the top with generous handfuls of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and slide into the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Watch the cheese transform into a bubbly, golden blanket that’ll make your mouth water.

Flavor Enhancements for Meatball Pasta Comfort Food

• Revive leftovers by adding a splash of marinara sauce before microwaving to prevent dryness and maintain moisture.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for a time-saving weeknight dinner.
• Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or almond flour, and use gluten-free pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that's equally delicious and nutritious.
• Mix finely chopped spinach or zucchini into the meatball mixture to sneak extra vegetables into a kid-friendly meal.

Hearty Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savory Italian-style Meatball Pasta Casserole brings hearty comfort straight from Mediterranean kitchens to dinner tables. Melted cheese, perfectly seasoned meatballs, and al dente pasta create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or ziti)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Activate the oven to 375F (190C). Submerge pasta in boiling water, cooking until perfectly tender. Strain and reserve.
2. Meatball Crafting: Thoroughly combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a mixing vessel. Shape into uniform spherical portions. Sear meatballs in heated olive oil, rotating to achieve a golden exterior, approximately 5 minutes. Partially cooking ensures final tenderness during baking.
3. Casserole Construction: Transfer cooked pasta into a spacious baking receptacle. Integrate marinara sauce and Italian seasoning, creating a harmonious blend. Gently embed meatballs throughout the pasta landscape. Generously crown the surface with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Oven Transformation: Shield the dish with aluminum foil, transferring to the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Uncover and continue baking an additional 10 minutes until cheese transforms into a molten, golden landscape, signaling culinary perfection.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef with some fat content to keep meatballs juicy and prevent dryness during baking.
• Mix breadcrumbs thoroughly to help bind meatballs and prevent crumbling; consider using fresh breadcrumbs for better texture.
• Toast Italian seasoning briefly in a dry pan before adding to enhance flavor profile and release aromatic compounds.
• Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and make serving easier without losing melty consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg