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Meatball Casserole: Cozy One-Pan Night Dinner
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Meatball Casserole

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan or more, no judgment
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley optional but nice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan for the top
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Yes, the oven is your best friend here. Give it a認 quick kiss of heat and it’ll do the heavy lifting.
  • In a bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until just combined—no overmixing; we’re not making hockey pucks here.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch each. Space them on a lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
  • Bake meatballs for 12–15 minutes until they’re browned and set. They don’t need to be opaque to the very center; they’ll finish in the sauce.
  • Spread marinara in a casserole dish. Nestle the baked meatballs into the sauce. Spoon a little extra sauce over the top if you like.
  • Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining parmesan over the dish. Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Let it rest a couple of minutes, then dig in with crusty bread or a simple salad.