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Cheesy Meatball Casserole

This cheesy meatball casserole has melty cheese and marinara sauce. Enjoy this easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy. Make a large batch of meatballs and freeze some for later when you are short on time.

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Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Cheesy Meatball Casserole

Make the Meatballs Ahead of Time

If you are like me, during the week, I am often short on time. When I get home from work, everyone is hungry, and I have 30-60 minutes to get a healthy, nutritious, and scrumptious meal on the table.

Therefore, on the weekends when I do have a bit more time, when I make meatballs for this dish, I double the meatball recipe portion. Cook them through, let them cool, and freeze them in airtight containers.

Then, on those nights when I am rushed. Out come those extra meatballs are ready for the sauce and cheese and baking.

It does take longer to bake because the meat has been frozen, but that is okay, it gives me a few more minutes for myself before feeding everyone. I just cook it until it is hot and bubbly. Generally, an extra 20 minutes will do it.

Cheesy Meatball Sub
Cheesy Meatball Sub

Make an Easy, Cheesy Meatball Sub

This can be enjoyed just as is for a great meal. However, why not make it a sandwich?

We have a sub shop near us and one of the sandwiches they serve is the meatball sub! Toast the bun, add your favorite vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and a few pickles just for starters. You have just made a copycat meatball sub at home.

Rolled Meatballs Ready for Freezing Baking or Frying
Rolled Meatballs Ready for Freezing Baking or Frying

Variations to Making the Meatballs

First off, these meatballs are made by combining ground beef and pork. These little nuggets can certainly be made with one type of ground meat or a combination. They are perfect for chicken, turkey, pork, beef, or wild game such as deer or elk for instance.

Swap out the pork in this recipe for Italian sausage. This generally comes in links; therefore, just make a slit down one side and remove the casing. It can now be cooked just as you would ground pork. Additionally, at our local grocery store, the Italian sausage comes in mild, medium, and spicy options. If you like spice, this would be a great pairing with the beef.

Another way to add spice to the meatballs is to add a teaspoon or red pepper flakes.

Easy Weeknight Meal
Easy Weeknight Meal

Slow Cooker Cheesy Meatballs

While I generally make this in the oven this can be done in a slow cooker. Just layer the ingredients in the slow cooker the same way and cook it on high for 2 ½ hours or low for 5 hours.

Add Veggies to the Casserole

This is a perfect recipe to sneak in a few vegetables for an additional healthy meal. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or green beans would cook up quickly and compliment the flavors nicely.

My niece serves these meatballs over spaghetti squash.

Cheesy Meatball Bake
Cheesy Meatball Bake

Cheesy Meatball Casserole is a Freezer-Friendly Meal

If you are someone that likes to meal prep ahead of time. This is a perfect one for putting all the ingredients together ahead of time in a container that is safe going from the freezer to the oven.

Additionally, if you have leftovers, let them cool and store in a freezer storage bag or other container that is safe going from the freezer to the oven. However, generally, I like to thaw this overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven. This will keep up to 3 months in the freezer.

Meatballs in a Cast Iron for Baking
Meatballs in a Cast Iron for Baking

I like to freeze the meatballs and just take out enough for a small meal. Pop them into a cast iron skillet with the marinara sauce and cheese and you have a lovely and delicious meal.

Cheesy Meatball Casserole
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Cheesy Meatball Casserole

This cheese meatball casserole has melty cheese and marinara sauce. Enjoy this easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy. Make a large batch of meatballs and freeze some for later when you are short on time.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: appetizer, Beef, Cheese, marinara, meat, Pork, snack
Servings: 60 pieces
Calories: 150kcal

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Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Ground Beef family pack
  • 1 Pound Ground Pork
  • 6 Cloves Garlic Minced or 3 TBL.
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Parsley Chopped
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan cheese Shredded
  • 1/2 Cup Romano Cheese Shredded
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 Cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • 1 Cup Saltine Crackers Crushed
  • 4 Large Eggs
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • 2-4 Tablespoons Olive Oil for frying meatballs
  • 32 Ounces Marinara Sauce
  • 4 Cups Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • 2 Cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded

Instructions

  • This recipe is enough for two 9 X 13 pans. Therefore, if you wish to make a smaller batch, decrease the amounts.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, sausage, garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, salt, pepper, bread crumbs, saltine crackers, eggs, and milk. Mix until everything is well mixed together.
  • Roll into meatballs. I like to use a 1-inch cookie scoop. The ball shape is almost done for you. Once scooped, it just takes a few rolls in the hand to make the round shape. If you prefer a larger meatball, use a larger cookie scoop.
    Rolled Meatballs Ready for Freezing Baking or Frying
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, fry the meatballs about 10 at a time in a 12-inch skillet. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan, and brown the meatballs on both sides for 2-3 minutes. They will be about half way cooked at this point. The oven baking will finish cooking them all the way.
  • As each batch of meatballs is cooked, place them in a 9 X 13 or other casserole dish that has a bit of the marinara sauce spread on the bottom.
    Adding Meatballs to 9 X 13 Pan Spread with Marinara Sauce
  • Once the meatballs are all seared, and in the pan, add more of the marinara sauce on top. (A total of half the jar should be used for each 9 X 13 pan). Add 2 cups of the mozzerella cheese and 1cup of the cheddar cheese on top of each pan. (there are enough for 2 pans of meatballs).
  • Cover pans with foil and bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the meatballs are fully cooked. Generally, the sauce will be bubbly and the cheese fully melted. It is done.
  • Garnish with parsley if you wish.
    Cheesy Meatball Bake

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Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 1mg
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