This easy baked meatball casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Made whth frozen meatballs, jarred
pasta sauce, and melted cheese, its a crowd-pleasing dish that cornes together in minutes.
Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes! Assemble the raw casserole up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add
5-10 extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I freeze this?
Absolutely! Prepare the casserole as directed. Let cool completely then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and
foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the ovemight before baking.
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What sides go well with this casserole?
Bread, salad, roasted vegetaues, or garlic knots are perfect alongside the casserole. You can also serve
it over pasta or polenta for a heartier meal
What type of pasta sauce works best?
Any tomato-based pasta sauce vill work well. Marinara and meat sauces are typical, but you can also
use alfredo, vodka, or pesto sauce for a creamy casserole.
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?
Yes, substitute 16-20 ounces of homemade or store-bought fresh meatballs_ Bake the casserole 5-10
minutes longer until the meatballs are cooked through.
How can I make this vegetarian?
Use vegetarian meatballs or soy protein crumbles instead of traditional meatballs. Everything else stays
the same.
What if my casserole seems dry?
If the casserole looks dry partway through baking, tent it with foil to prevent over-browning_ You can also
stir in a splash of milk or pasta co&äng water if needed.
Ingredients
• 1 pound frozen meatballs (about 36 meatballs)
• 24 ounces (680g) pasta sauce
• 16 ounces (454g) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup (10g) chopped fresh parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 175ZCt350ZF. Grease a 23x33cm (9×13 inch) baking dish with cooking spray or
2 In a large bowl, combine the frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese,
and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Transfer the to the prepared baking dish. Spread into an even layer.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are heated through and the cheese is melted
and
5. Remove frorn oven and let sit for 5 ninutes before serving. The casserole win firm up slightly as it
6. Serve warm directly from the baking dish alongside crusty bread, a salad, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
Use your favorite flavor of jarred pasta sauce. Traditional marinara or meat sauce works vell_
• For extra flavor, add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Top with additonal shredded mozzarella or Parmesan before baking for an extra cheesy casserole.
• Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in he
nucrowave or oven.
Here are some useful tips for making the peffect meatball
casserole:
Use high-quality jarred pasta sauce — Rao’s and Buitoni are excellent options that will elevate the
favor
Dont overcrowd the baking dish — leave a little room between the meatballs so the sauce can coat
them evenly.
Sprinkle a layer of grated mozzarella on top about 5 minutes before the casserole is finished baking
for an extra gooey, rnelted cheese layer.
• Let the casserole rest at least 5 minutes before sewing—this helps it setup and makes it easier to
scoop out nice portions.
• Garnish with chopped Italian parsley and grated Parmesan before ser.’ing for a pop of color and
added flavor.
• Serve with crusty garlic bread for dipping into the sauce_ Warm. buttery rolls are also delicious.
Accompany with a simple side salad of mixed greens, red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and balsamic
vinaigrette
• For a creamy, rich sauce, stir a few tablespoons of heavy cream into he pasta sauce before
assembling the casserole.
Cook the frozen meatballs first before assembling the casserole to help render out excess fat and
gyevent a greasy bake.
• If reheating leftovers, add a splash of pasta water tothe casserole to revive and moisten it before
warming it up.
Let me know if you have any other meatball casserole questions!
Enjoy this super easy and delicitws meatball casserole! Ifs the perfect meal for busy weeknights or
potlucks_ Let me know if you try it!