Ultimate Juicy Italian Meatballs Casserole
Ultimate Juicy Italian Meatballs Casserole
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Casserole Assembly
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, good quality
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Panko breadcrumbs, milk, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don't need to be cooked through, just browned for flavor and texture.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Pour about half of the marinara sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the browned meatballs in a single layer over the sauce.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Ultimate Juicy Italian Meatballs Casserole
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Casserole Assembly
- 24 ounces marinara sauce, good quality
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Panko breadcrumbs, milk, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don't need to be cooked through, just browned for flavor and texture.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Pour about half of the marinara sauce into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the browned meatballs in a single layer over the sauce.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are mostly submerged. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Bake for 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
⏱️ 40 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.
⏱️ 5 min