🧆 Baked Meatball Casserole 🍅🧀
“I had these at a friend’s party and begged for the recipe! Don’t tell anyone, but they’re better than my mom’s. Super easy and super delicious — now I make them for every party!”
Ingredients
- 1 bag (24 oz) frozen or homemade meatballs
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese (optional, for creaminess)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix base: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and half the mozzarella.
- Layer: Spread the mixture into the baking dish. Add dollops of ricotta or cottage cheese (if using). Arrange meatballs evenly on top.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot!
💡 Tip: Make it extra special by using homemade meatballs and topping with a drizzle of garlic butter or chili flakes before serving!
