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Old Fashioned Baked Meatball Casserole Recipe

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3.9 from 61 reviews

This Old Fashioned Baked Meatball Casserole is a hearty and comforting one-dish meal combining tender meatballs, penne pasta, and a rich marinara sauce baked to perfection with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley on top.

Ingredients

Pasta and Meatballs

  • 1 lb penne pasta, uncooked
  • 1 lb meatballs, thawed

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 24 oz jar marinara sauce
  • 14.5 oz can beef broth
  • ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings

  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine ingredients: In the casserole dish, add the thawed meatballs, uncooked penne pasta, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients throughout the dish.
  3. Initial baking: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake it in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook through in the flavorful liquid and meatballs to heat thoroughly.
  4. Add cheese and bake uncovered: Carefully remove the foil from the casserole, stir the contents gently, then evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Garnish and serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the casserole for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy this classic comforting meal.

Notes

  • Make sure the meatballs are thawed before adding to the casserole to ensure even cooking.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes with the seasonings.
  • You can substitute penne with any other short pasta like rigatoni or rotini.
  • Covering the casserole during initial baking helps the pasta cook through and keeps moisture in.
  • This dish can be assembled ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenience.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/old-fashioned-baked-meatball-casserole-recipe/