Italian Meatball Casserole: A Hearty Delight

Italian Meatball CasserolePhoto byFood Fusion Frenzy

Ciao, amici! Today, I'm excited to share with you a recipe that brings together the comforting flavors of Italy in a hearty and satisfying dish – Italian Meatball Casserole.

Get Full Recipe: Italian Meatball Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 lb pasta (such as penne or rigatoni), cooked al dente
• 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Make Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground Italian sausage, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get approximately 24 meatballs.
4. Cook Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of olive oil. Working in batches, brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per batch. They don't need to be fully cooked through at this stage as they will finish cooking in the oven. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate lined with paper towels.
5. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6. Assemble Casserole: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the pasta.
7. Add Meatballs: Nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce and pasta mixture. Make sure they are evenly distributed.
8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
9. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

This Italian Meatball Casserole is best enjoyed hot and fresh out of the oven. Serve it with a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette for a complete meal. Your family and friends will love the robust flavors and comforting aroma of this classic Italian dish.