Easy Cheesy Meatball Casserole Recipe – Family Favorite Dinner

There are some dinners that instantly bring comfort, warmth, and smiles to the table. This Cheesy Meatball Casserole is exactly that kind of dish. It’s hearty, gooey, and layered with all the best things—juicy homemade meatballs, tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella on top.

Think of it as the love child between baked ziti and classic spaghetti with meatballs. It’s familiar, indulgent, and absolutely perfect for feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or serving as the star of a cozy Sunday dinner.

The best part? It’s made with simple pantry staples and comes together without fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Meatball Casserole Recipe

All-in-One Comfort – Meatballs, pasta, sauce, and cheese all baked together for the ultimate cozy meal.

Kid-Approved – Cheesy, saucy, and fun to eat—kids and adults alike will devour it.

Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble the casserole the night before and bake when ready.

Versatile – Swap proteins, add veggies, or layer in extra cheeses.

Crowd-Pleaser – Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or weeknight comfort food.

Cheesy Meatball Casserole Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cheesy baked casserole:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil – For sautéing veggies and starting the sauce.
• 1 medium onion, divided (half diced, half grated) – Adds flavor to both sauce and meatballs.
• 2 small carrots, diced – Sweetens and enriches the sauce.
• 2 garlic cloves, minced – Classic aromatic base.
• 1 (24.5-ounce) bottle passata or tomato purée – Rich, smooth tomato base.
• 10 ounces small pasta (elbows, ditalini, or shells) – Perfect bite-sized pieces for casserole texture.
• 1 pound ground beef (80% lean) – Juicy and flavorful meatball base.
• 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs – For binding the meatballs.
• 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese – Adds salty, nutty flavor inside the meatballs.
• 1 large egg – Helps bind the meatballs.
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano – Classic Italian seasoning.
• ½ teaspoon dried basil – Sweet herb note for the meatballs.
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped, divided – Half for the meatballs, half for garnish.
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese – Melty, gooey topping.
• Sea salt & black pepper, to taste – Essential seasoning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

2. Make the Sauce Base

In a medium skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Stir in passata and simmer for 6–8 minutes.

3. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just shy of al dente—2–3 minutes less than the package suggests.

Drain, then toss with one-third of the tomato sauce. Transfer the coated pasta to the prepared casserole dish.

4. Prepare the Meatballs

In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, breadcrumbs, parmesan, egg, oregano, basil, and half of the parsley. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don’t overwork. Roll into 14–16 meatballs and arrange them evenly over the pasta layer.

5. Assemble the Casserole

Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the meatballs.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

Cover the casserole dish with foil.

6. Bake

Bake covered for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

7. Serve

Garnish with the remaining parsley. Serve warm, straight from the casserole dish, with extra parmesan on the side.

Cooking Tips & Techniques

Don’t Overmix Meatballs – Gently mix to keep them tender and juicy.

Parboil Pasta – Cooking pasta just shy of al dente ensures it won’t get mushy while baking.

Cover Then Uncover – Foil keeps things moist, while finishing uncovered gives you that golden cheesy crust.

Grate Your Own Cheese – Freshly grated mozzarella melts smoother than pre-shredded.

Recommended Equipment

Large Pot for Pasta – Essential for boiling pasta evenly.

Medium Skillet – Perfect for building the sauce base.

Medium Mixing Bowl – For combining meatball ingredients.

Casserole Dish – Oven-to-table serving made easy.

Aluminum Foil – Helps keep the casserole moist before browning.

Wooden Spoon or Spatula – For stirring and assembling.

How to Serve Cheesy Meatball Casserole?

This casserole is filling and satisfying on its own, but you can round out the meal with sides:

With Garlic Bread – For scooping up extra sauce.

With a Green Salad – Balances richness with freshness.

With Roasted Veggies – Adds extra nutrition and color to the meal.

What to Pair With Cheesy Meatball Casserole?

From your Cooking Day’s recipe collection, here are 3 delicious pairings:

Antipasto-Inspired Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Vinaigrette

The tangy vinaigrette and pickled flavors cut through the richness of the casserole beautifully.

Crispy Garlic Potato Rings

Crispy and fun, these add a golden crunch to complement the soft, cheesy casserole.

Soft Milk Chocolate-Filled Cookies – Buttery, Melty, and Pure Comfort!

Finish the meal with a sweet, cozy treat that mirrors the indulgence of the main dish.

These pairings turn your cheesy meatball casserole into a comforting, well-rounded meal — with freshness, crunch, and a sweet ending.

Diet-Friendly Options

Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.

Lighter Version – Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken, and use part-skim mozzarella.

Vegetarian Twist – Use plant-based meat alternatives or meatless meatballs.

Extra Veggies – Fold spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms into the sauce for added nutrition.

Best Ways to Store

Fridge – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer – Freeze fully baked and cooled portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheat – Warm covered in the oven at 350°F, or microwave individual servings.

Recipe Variations

Ricotta Layer – Add dollops of ricotta between the pasta and meatball layers for a lasagna-style twist.

Crunchy Topping – Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs over mozzarella before baking for added crunch.

Protein Swap – Use ground pork, chicken, turkey, or even Italian sausage.

Cheese Lovers’ Dream – Add provolone or fontina for gooey layers.

This Cheesy Meatball Casserole is everything you want in comfort food: hearty, saucy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying. It’s a family-friendly dish that’s simple to make yet impressive enough to serve guests.

Whether you make it ahead for a busy weeknight, freeze it for later, or bake it fresh for Sunday dinner, it’s guaranteed to become a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

So grab your skillet, roll some meatballs, and get ready for a bubbling, golden-baked pasta dish that screams cozy comfort.

5 Common Questions Answered

1. Can I use store-bought meatballs?
Yes, but homemade is worth it for flavor and tenderness. If using pre-cooked, add them directly when assembling.

2. Can I use marinara sauce instead of passata?
Definitely! Marinara adds extra seasoning and texture.

3. Can I assemble this in advance?
Yes—assemble up to a day before, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

4. What pasta works best?
Small shapes like elbows, shells, or ditalini hold sauce and cheese best.

5. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Bake, cool, and freeze in portions. Reheat in the oven for best results.