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Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe

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4.1 from 297 reviews

  • Author: Chef
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

A comforting baked pasta casserole made with tender meatballs, pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This family-friendly dish combines classic Italian flavors in an easy oven-baked meal perfect for a hearty dinner.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 500 g ground beef or turkey
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta & Sauce

  • 400 g penne or rigatoni
  • 3 cups marinara sauce

Cheeses

  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, egg, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley to form a flavorful meatball mixture.
  3. Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs to ensure consistent cooking.
  4. Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the meatballs for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally to develop a rich crust without cooking through completely.
  5. Cook Pasta: Boil the penne or rigatoni according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain to prevent overcooking during baking.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce until evenly coated.
  7. Add Meatballs: Gently fold in the browned meatballs with the pasta and sauce mixture to evenly distribute them.
  8. Assemble Casserole: Transfer everything into a greased casserole dish and spread out evenly.
  9. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the top of the casserole for a cheesy finish.
  10. Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and heat through.
  11. Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley for color and freshness, then serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • Ground turkey can be used for a lighter version of the dish.
  • Use frozen cooked meatballs to speed up the preparation time.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta before baking; it will continue cooking in the oven.
  • Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms for extra vegetables and nutrients.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to set and enhance flavors.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Casserole, Pasta, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://kitchenmartha.com/meatball-pasta-casserole-recipe/