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A plate of Mom’s meatball casserole with a fork beside it.

Mom's Meatball Casserole

Chef Jenn
This Cheesy Meatball Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—hearty, cheesy, and perfect for busy weeknights. Tender pasta, juicy meatballs, marinara sauce, and plenty of gooey melted cheese come together in one bubbling, golden-brown bake. It’s a family favorite that disappears fast!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 534 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 24 ounces bag frozen fully cooked meatballs about 26–28 meatballs
  • 24 ounces jar marinara sauce
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • basil optional for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  • Combine the pasta, thawed meatballs, sautéed vegetables, and marinara sauce in a large bowl. Stir to coat evenly.
  • Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella, then Parmesan.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil if desired.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Use a pasta shape with ridges (like penne or rigatoni) so the sauce clings to every bite.
  • If you like extra saucy casseroles, add half a jar more marinara before baking.
  • For a little kick, toss in crushed red pepper flakes when you sauté the veggies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 30gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 730mgPotassium: 665mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 668IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 253mgIron: 2mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword Baked Meatball Casserole, Easy Weeknight Dinner, Meatball Pasta Bake, Mom's Meatball Casserole
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