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This casserole recipe with beef meatballs makes the best comfort food meal. With thick tomato sauce, and lots of cheese, this easy recipe is a must-make!
What Pasta Should I Serve With Meatball Casserole
While beef meatballs are usually best on top of spaghetti, this is one of those casserole recipes that you serve with any type of pasta.
Or, for a really fun twist, pick up some crusty loaves of bread from the store to make meatball sandwiches instead!
Can I Freeze Beef Meatballs
Yes! Meatballs freeze beautifully. It’s easy to prepare a large batch of beef meatballs. You can use what you need to make this easy casserole recipe and freeze the rest for another meal.
Meatballs can be frozen raw or after browning them. If you decide to brown them first, allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes so that they’re easier to manage.
Arrange the beef meatballs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer it into the freezer. Once the meatballs are frozen, you can place them into a gallon-sized freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
Raw meatballs can stay in the freezer for up to four months, but cooked meatballs will only keep well for three months.
How Do I Store Leftover Casserole
Leftover meatball casserole can safely be left in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you won’t be using it up during that time, consider freezing the leftovers for future use.
Divide the leftover casserole into meal-sized portions and place them into airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. The cooked meatball casserole will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
The casserole recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart. I absolutely love the mozzarella cheese that melts on top of the beef meatballs. They really do make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
This casserole recipe has 526 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Meatball Casserole
Serve this dish with Skillet Garlic Bread—it pairs perfectly! For a healthy meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Meatball Recipes You Might Like
Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500g) ground pork
- 1 lb (500g) ground beef
- 1 cup breadcrumbs , or Japanese panko
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 pinch red-pepper flakes
- 28 oz (800g) whole peeled tomatoes, pureed
- 4 fresh basil leaves, optional
- 8 oz (230g) fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Using your hands, gently mix together the pork, beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, eggs, garlic, and parsley in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 2-inch (5 cm) balls.
- Heat the oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning them until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender. Add the tomatoes and basil; simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce is slightly thickened. Return the meatballs and their juices to the pan. Simmer, turning the meatballs, until they are cooked through.
- Preheat the broiler and arrange the mozzarella cheese on top of the meatballs. Broil until melted, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I have not been able to try it out yet because I was sick but I am back now I have a lot of work to do thank you 🙏 😊 you are the best 👌 ❤️ ever.
Thanks John for the comment and 5 star rating!
Casserole with beef one of my favorite recipes and I have to try this 😋 looks delicious 😋 sorry i was not so active I’ve been sick for awhile but I am back again thanks again for your help in cooking love your recipes 😊 ☺️ from John from Belgium 🇧🇪
Thanks John for the comment and rating. I’m glad to hear that you’re back and feeling better! :)
This recipe is certainly a keeper! The only change I will make next time is to double the sauce. It is so good and we like lots of sauce on our meatballs. And no, I wouldn’t use any jarred sauce. Didn’t have fresh mozzarella (forgot to put it on my shopping list!) but I had provolone slices and they we perfect. So glad I found this recipe, thanks.
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I just made this recipe and it was amazing. I froze half the meatballs. The only change I made was to add a bottle of pasta sauce as well as tinned tomatoes. This is definitely a keeper recipe
Hi Marea, please try more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
I just finished off the frozen leftovers from this recipe I made a few weeks ago.. I have to say..YUM!!! I did change the Puree and basil to Newmans tomato & basil sauce… I will never be able to buy an outlets meatball sandwich again… these are soooo good… thanks for the recipe.
Hi Michael, thanks for trying my meatball casserole recipe.
They look great, and will try them soon. Also my SERVICE DOGGIE SHELTIE will inhale these, she loves food like this, I cook for her no crappy dog food for my pets…
Awesome, you will love this recipe.
These sound wonderful. Would it be possible to freeze part either before cooking in sauce or with sauce. Then finishing with the meatballs thawed or frozen? When there are only two in the family, lots of good recipes are too big; so being able to cut recipe in half or freezing part is necessary?
Yes, I think you can freeze everything after they are cooked. :)
These meatballs were a hit. Great flavor.
Awesome Ray. Thanks for trying my meatball casserole recipe.