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THE BEST RECIPE For Meatball Casserole Recipe

THE BEST RECIPE For Meatball Casserole Recipe
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4.9 from 25 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Meatball Casserole featuring tender homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, layered with ziti pasta, fresh mozzarella, and plenty of parmesan for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil, plus more for the pan
  • 3/4 lb. ground beef (80/20)
  • 3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 c. fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided

Sauce

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 2 c. hot water
  • 12 fresh basil leaves, torn if large

Other

  • 12 oz. ziti (4 cups)
  • 16 oz. fresh mozzarella, cut into large cubes

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 3-quart baking dish generously with olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, rolled oats, beaten egg, half a cup of grated parmesan, half the chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
  3. Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into small ½-inch meatballs and arrange them on a large plate or baking sheet. You should have about 82 meatballs.
  4. Brown Meatballs: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, browning all sides for about 3 minutes. Remove cooked meatballs to a clean plate or baking sheet.
  5. Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet with the drippings, add garlic and onion. Sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, sugar, hot water, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
  6. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Add the browned meatballs to the sauce and continue simmering uncovered for 20 minutes to allow flavors to blend. Remove from heat and stir in torn basil leaves.
  7. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
  8. Assemble Casserole: Spread half of the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish. Layer with half of the mozzarella cubes, ¼ cup parmesan, and half the meatballs with sauce. Repeat layering with remaining pasta, mozzarella, parmesan, and meatballs with sauce.
  9. Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until hot and bubbling.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove casserole from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup parmesan and the remaining chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Using a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth of flavor to the meatballs.
  • Rolling meatballs into uniform ½-inch sizes ensures even cooking.
  • Simmering meatballs in the sauce after browning enriches the flavor and keeps them tender.
  • Fresh basil added at the end brightens the sauce and adds aromatics.
  • Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps it set and makes serving easier.
  • Parmesan cheese can be substituted with pecorino romano for a sharper taste.
  • Adjust salt according to personal preference and sausage saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball casserole, Italian casserole, baked ziti, meatballs, tomato sauce, comfort food

Find it online: https://servedbynora.com/the-best-recipe-for-meatball-casserole-recipe/