This is a homemade meal that's not complicated and the start of many meals. Meatball casserole can be used for submarine sandwiches, served over mashed potatoes, noodles, or your favorite sandwich bread. Perfect for dinner and leftovers are great for lunches in sandwiches!

Meatballs Casserole via @Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine.comPhoto byClaudia Lamascolo

Shopping List:

• 1-pound ground chuck
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan and Pecorino Romano blended cheese more for topping
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or dried
• 2 tablespoons freshly minced parsley or dried
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste (around 1 teaspoon each)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese

Quick Homemade Sauce for Meatballs:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1- 28 ounce can of crushed, puree or tomato sauce in a can
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh minced parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 3 fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup of Cabernet Red Wine

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a deep baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the meatball mixture into shape into balls.
3. Place on a baking sheet.
4. Brush with olive oil or cooking spray oil
5. Bake until crispy on the outside around 35 minutes.

Tomato Sauce:

1. Saute the garlic for 2 minutes in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Add all the rest of the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan, and add all the sauce ingredients simmer for 30 minutes while the meatballs are baking. Oil spray a casserole dish. Add the cooked meatballs, and top with sauce, cheese, and mozzarella.
3. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts and starts to brown (you can broil the top for crispy cheese..
4. Serve over pasta noodles, mashed potatoes or hard-crusted bread.

Delicious Homemade Recipes to Try:

Homemade Tortellini

Homemade Cavatelli Pasta

Mom's Lasagna