Best 6 Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole Recipes

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Are you craving a delicious and hearty meal that's perfect for a family dinner or a cozy night in? Look no further than the cheesy Italian meatball casserole, a culinary delight that combines the flavors of savory meatballs, melted cheese, and rich tomato sauce in a single dish. This casserole is a true crowd-pleaser, offering a comforting combination of textures and flavors that will leave you satisfied and craving more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking for an impressive dish, this article will guide you through the steps and ingredients needed to create the ultimate cheesy Italian meatball casserole that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALL CASSEROLE



Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole image

Make and share this Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lorraine of AZ

Categories     Penne

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 (16 ounce) package dried ziti pasta or 1 (16 ounce) package penne
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
1 (16 ounce) package frozen precooked italian meatballs, thawed (32 balls, cut in half)
1 (15 ounce) can Italian-style tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) carton ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz.)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
  • Stir in the pasta sauce, meatballs, and tomato sauce. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish.
  • Bake, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile in a bowl, combine the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.
  • Uncover pasta, mix, and spoon cheese mixture in mounds over pasta. Cover loosely and bake about 10 minutes more or until heated through.
  • Top with mozarrella cheese and bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.

SUNNY'S EASY CHEESY MEATBALL SUB CASSEROLE



Sunny's Easy Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Half a 32-ounce bag frozen store-bought meatballs, defrosted and sliced in half
One 32-ounce jar marinara sauce
Two 8-ounce bags Italian cheese blend
One 5-ounce bag garlic croutons, crushed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and green pepper, then sprinkle with salt and pepper and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the meatballs, marinara sauce and cheese. Add the cooked onion and pepper mixture. Mix to combine, then transfer to the prepared baking dish. Top with the crushed croutons. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. (If the topping starts to get too brown, loosely cover with foil toward the end of the bake.)

JUMBO CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALLS



Jumbo Cheesy Italian Meatballs image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
3 1/2 cups torn stale Italian bread (about 1/4 loaf)
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 pounds ground beef chuck
1 small bunch parsley, chopped(about 1 cup)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, grated
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
3 to 4 sprigs basil, plus chopped leaves for topping
Kosher salt
Ricotta cheese, for topping

Steps:

  • Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Transfer to a small bowl, add the milk and set aside to soak. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beef, parsley, parmesan, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes; mix with your hands to combine. Add the bread-milk mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).
  • Dampen your hands and shape the meat mixture into 4 large balls. Make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb and stuff with a mini mozzarella ball, then mold the meat around the cheese. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until browned and firm, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, the basil sprigs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.
  • Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the sauce, spooning some of the sauce on top. Continue cooking, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs, until tender and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Serve with ricotta and chopped basil.
  • You can form all of these meatballs a day ahead; cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

ITALIAN MEATBALL SANDWICH CASSEROLE



Italian Meatball Sandwich Casserole image

All the ingredients for a meatball sandwich are here, just assembled in a different manner. This recipe is always a hit at our house. We NEVER have any leftovers, it is so good!

Provided by MARBALET

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 13

⅓ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound ground beef
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
  • Mix together onions, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and ground beef. Roll into 1 inch diameter balls, and place in a baking pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until beef is no longer pink. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in an ungreased 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning and black pepper until smooth. Spread this mixture over each bread cube. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese.
  • In a large bowl, mix together spaghetti sauce, water, and garlic. Gently stir in meatballs. Pour over the bread and cheese mixture in the baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1046 calories, Carbohydrate 74.3 g, Cholesterol 153.2 mg, Fat 64.7 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 40.8 g, SaturatedFat 25.9 g, Sodium 1875.5 mg, Sugar 15.4 g

CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALL POCKETS



Cheesy Italian Meatball Pockets image

This copycat stuffed pocket recipe is filled with Italian meatballs coated in marinara sauce and topped with a blend of Italian cheeses and encased in crescent dough.

Provided by Kim's Cooking Now

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Savory Pie Recipes     Meat Pie Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
6 frozen fully cooked Italian meatballs, thawed and halved
1 (8 ounce) package crescent dough sheet (such as Pillsbury®)
6 tablespoons finely shredded Italian-style cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place marinara sauce in a medium bowl and add meatballs halves; toss to coat in the sauce.
  • Remove crescent dough sheet from the can and place on a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a well defined rectangle and cut into 4 equal rectangles.
  • Place 6 meatball halves cut-side down onto one of the rectangles, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spoon a bit of the sauce over the meatballs and top with 3 tablespoons Italian cheese. Repeat with another rectangle.
  • Brush the border of each rectangle with beaten egg. Cover fillings with remaining rectangles, pinching edges with your fingers and straightening them as you go. Crimp the edges with a fork. Transfer both pockets to the baking sheet using a spatula. Brush with some beaten egg and sprinkle with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve with remaining marinara sauce for dipping.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 849.9 calories, Carbohydrate 67.7 g, Cholesterol 184.1 mg, Fat 47.2 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 33.4 g, SaturatedFat 15.7 g, Sodium 1752.6 mg, Sugar 19.3 g

CHEESY MEATBALL BAKE RECIPE BY TASTY



Cheesy Meatball Bake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: ground beef, hot italian sausage, garlic, fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, italian bread crumbs, eggs, milk, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese

Provided by Hector Gomez

Categories     Appetizers

Yield 20 meatballs

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 lb ground beef
1 lb hot italian sausage
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 cup italian bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 cup milk
24 oz marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, eggs, and milk. Mix until everything is fully infused together.
  • Roll into 4-5 ounce (113-142 g) meatballs. For even amounts, use a medium-sized ice cream scooper.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan, and brown the meatballs on both sides for about 2-3 minutes or until you create a nice crispy sear. Cook about half way through. They will finish cooking in the oven.
  • In a casserole dish, spread a few tablespoons of marinara sauce to the bottom of the pan to help prevent sticking. Then place meatballs in the casserole dish and add the remaining jar of marinara sauce. Top with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover in foil and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the meatballs are fully cooked.
  • Serve and garnish with parsley.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238 calories, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 16 grams, Sugar 2 grams

Tips:

  • Use a large skillet to brown the meatballs so they don't overcrowd and steam.
  • If you don't have time to make your own meatballs, you can use frozen or pre-cooked meatballs.
  • Be sure to drain the excess grease from the meatballs before adding them to the casserole.
  • Use a variety of cheeses in the casserole for a more flavorful dish.
  • Top the casserole with bread crumbs or Parmesan cheese before baking for a crispy topping.
  • Serve the casserole hot with a side of pasta or salad.

Conclusion:

Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of juicy meatballs, melted cheese, and flavorful sauce, this casserole is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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