Meatball Casserole (One Pot)
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Quick and easy meatball casserole recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one pot in oven in 30 minutes. Loaded with meatballs, marinara sauce, cheese! Also known as meatball parmesan. Serve it on its own or over pasta or in a meatball sub.
If you liked my Best Spaghetti and Meatballs (One Pot), you are sure to fall in love with today’s recipe too. It’s so easy that even little kids can help you in the kitchen.
How to make meatball casserole?
- Spread marinara sauce– In an oven-safe dish.
- Add meatballs– Make sure they are fully cooked.
- Sprinkle cheese– Until the top is fully covered.
- Bake– Until cheese is melted.
- Enjoy! Garnish with fresh basil and dig in!
What sides to serve with cheesy meatball casserole recipe?
Pasta is a delicious side. Any shape and size will work well. Simple boiled pasta or lightly buttered pasta are both a hit with my family. If you want to make it low carb, serve it with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot).
Another option is bread. Try crusty bread, bread sticks, dinner rolls, garlic bread.
Vegetables are always a healthy side. Try these Oven Roasted Vegetables (One Pan) or Oven Roasted Broccoli (One Pan) or Oven Roasted Asparagus (One Pan).
To keep the overall meal light, serve it with salad. Try this Cucumber Onion Salad (One Bowl) or Italian Chopped Salad (One Bowl) or Three Bean Salad (One Bowl).
Variations
Add pasta– On its own, the recipe below is for a low carb casserole. However, you can add a layer of boiled pasta, followed by tomato sauce, meatballs and lots of cheese to make a more hearty meal.
Meatball sliders– Fill small buns with the meatballs and sauce and lots of cheese. Bake until cheese is melted. These are great for potlucks and also make an easy party appetizer.
Meatball sandwich/ Meatball sub– Fill sub rolls or sandwich bread with the meatballs and sauce and lots of cheese. Then, bake in the oven until cheese is fully melted.
Bite sized appetizer- Stick a toothpick into each meatball and serve it as a party appetizer.
Try a different sauce– Replace marinara sauce with just one or a combination of these sauces: Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce (One Pot) or Cheddar Cheese Sauce (One Pot) or Best Chimichurri Sauce (One Pot) or Basil Pesto Sauce (Blender) or even alfredo sauce.
Use other cheeses- I used mozzarella and parmesan but you can use blue cheese, goat cheese, Monterey Jack, feta, havarti, gouda or anything else you like.
Tips and Techniques
Don’t skip fresh basil– It’s not a huge quantity but that little amount adds a wonderful flavor and aroma.
Homemade meatballs vs. Store-bought meatballs– Either can be used.
Use fully cooked meatballs- They are so quick and convenient for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to make your own meatballs from scratch.
Serve a crowd– By doubling or tripling all the ingredients.
If you are serving with pasta– While the meatballs are baking, boil the pasta on the stovetop. This way, your spaghetti will be ready at the same time as the meatballs.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container in the fridge for 2 days.
Freeze– Once you layer all the ingredients in a dish, do not bake it but instead, seal it in saran wrap tightly and freeze it for up to 1 month. When you are ready to enjoy it, remove from freezer and bake.
Reheat– Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
More One Pot Meatball Recipes
One Pot Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Marinara sauce
- 12 oz. Meatballs, Precooked
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, Shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, Shredded
- 3 Basil leaves, Roughly chopped, For garnish
Instructions
- In an oven-safe dish, spread the marinara sauce.
- Place the meatballs on top of the sauce.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top.
- Sprinkle half the chopped basil leaves.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
- Then broil for 10 minutes until cheese has fully melted and is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and garnish with remaining basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Are the meatballs frozen or thawed ?
They are frozen.