Fantastic Meatball Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
For the Casserole:
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
1 (12 oz) package of pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni work well), cooked al dente
Instructions:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, milk, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
Assemble Casserole: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange half of the cooked pasta over the sauce. Place the baked meatballs evenly over the pasta. Dot the meatballs with spoonfuls of ricotta cheese, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the cheese. Add the remaining pasta, creating a layered effect.
Final Touches: Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle a little