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Parmesan Casserole with Meatballs and Mozzarella Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 64 reviews

This Parmesan Casserole combines savory Italian-style meatballs with a rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. Ground beef and Italian sausage meatballs are seared then simmered in a flavorful tomato and Parmesan sauce before being baked with a cheesy topping for a hearty, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 16 ounces 85/15 ground beef
  • 16 ounces ground Italian sausage
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sauce and Topping

  • 14 ounces pizza sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian sausage, eggs, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and grated Parmesan. Mix thoroughly then shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs.
  3. Sear Meatballs: Heat some oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the meatballs and sear them on a couple of sides until browned. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
  4. Make Sauce: In the same pan, add the tomato paste and cook for about 10 seconds to deepen the flavor. Then add the pizza sauce and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine well.
  5. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the seared meatballs to the pan and stir gently to coat them evenly with the sauce.
  6. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the meatballs along with the sauce into a baking dish. Spread evenly, and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top.

Notes

  • Use 85/15 ground beef for a good balance of flavor and moisture.
  • You can use store-bought pizza sauce or homemade for the sauce base.
  • For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or fresh herbs to the meatball mixture if desired.
  • Make sure to brown the meatballs well; this helps seal in juices and adds depth to the flavor.
  • Serve hot as a main dish with pasta, garlic bread, or a green salad.

Keywords: Parmesan casserole, meatballs, Italian sausage, baked meatballs, tomato sauce casserole, mozzarella cheese casserole

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/parmesan-casserole-with-meatballs-and-mozzarella-recipe/