Authentic Italian Meatball Bake Recipe

Name: Gourmet Italian Meatball Bake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 piece egg; 1/2 cup bread crumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 cup marinara sauce; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; some salt; some ground black pepper

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Hearty and Flavorful: Italian Meatball Bake Delight

My Italian meatball bake recipe is one of the most delicious meatball recipes you’ve ever cooked!

➡️ A meatball bake is a dish of pasta, baked with a kind of sauce, usually tomato-based, and topped with melted cheese, bread crumbs, or both. Pasta bake recipes vary depending on the pasta type used, the sauce, and other ingredients such as smoked bacon, smoked sausages, sauteed mushrooms, fried onions, or meatballs.

➡️ A meatball bake, meatball pasta bake, or meatball pasta casserole, as it’s also named this food type, is just perfect for a quick and delicious summer dinner because is ready quickly, doesn’t require much preparation and cooking time, and is very versatile, namely you can use up anything you have in the fridge. Plus, it’s very delicious and liked by everyone, no matter their age.

➡️ Another reason why a meatball bake is ideal for your summer dinners and beyond is that this pasta dish enables you to use up the leftover meatballs that everyone has. Meatballs are very popular nowadays, so most of us cook them frequently and, of course, we usually cook too much of them. This is not necessarily a problem if we have at hand useful food recipes in which we can include the remaining meatballs to cook steaming and tasty dinners during summer or in any part of the year.

➡️ Meatball bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a family dinner or a crowd-pleasing party. It features tender and juicy meatballs that are baked to perfection in a savory tomato sauce with a generous layer of melted cheese on top. This classic comfort food is highly versatile and can be customized with various seasonings, spices, and types of meat. It doesn’t matter if you prefer beef, pork, chicken, or turkey, you can easily make a meatball bake that suits your taste buds and dietary needs. Serve it with some crusty bread, pasta, or salad for a satisfying and hearty meal that everyone will love.

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How to Make a Meatball Bake from Scratch

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Gourmet Italian Meatball Bake Recipe

Are you looking for a tasty and easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love? Look no further than this delicious meatball bake! With tender and flavorful meatballs baked in a bed of marinara sauce and topped with melted cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit. Plus, it's easy to prepare and ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner option. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself just how delicious it is!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 piece egg
½ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
some salt
some ground black pepper

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Roll the mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and browned on the outside.
In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread out 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce.
Place the cooked meatballs on top of the sauce.
Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of marinara sauce over the meatballs and top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve the meatball bake hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Here are a few tips to get the best results when cooking meatball bake:

Use high-quality ground beef with good fat content. This will help the meatballs stay moist and flavorful.
Don’t overmix the meat mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough. Just mix everything together until it is well combined.
If you find that the meatballs are falling apart while you are trying to shape them, try chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for a few minutes before rolling them into balls. This will help the mixture firm up and be easier to work with.

Keyword meatball bake

Cooking an Italian Meatball Bake at Home is a Breeze!

➡️ Meatball bakes are so popular today because of their versatility and ease of cooking. Even a beginner home chef can cook any meatball pasta bake without difficulties. Not to mention that these pasta casserole recipes are just perfect when you come home and want to cook a weeknight dinner for your family or yourself but you are too tired or don’t have the money to have dinner out.

➡️ As mentioned in the beginning, most pasta casseroles use a tomato sauce to bind together the ingredients. This is a typical Italian food and is also the easiest version because anyone has at home a tomato paste, tomato broth, or even ketchup that can use to make the pasta bake. Second in preference, is the sour cream-based white sauce, which also helps you cook a mouth-watering meatball bake. However, you can use less-known sauce types such as mustard sauce, which I simply love and use when I want to cook a pasta casserole with a Swedish twist.

➡️ One of the tips to ensure a great meatball bake is to cook the meatballs long enough to brown them on top but not so long that they become dry. This is valid also when you’re going to use leftover meatballs. A thick grated cheese layer will mostly solve this problem, so sprinkle this ingredient in abundance. Another tip to get a fabulous result when cooking meatball pasta casserole is to use chopped fresh herbs like chives, basil, coriander, or dill not just when you combine ingredients before baking but also to sprinkle them on top of the dish right before serving. Your pasta bake will look much more appetizing and the taste will be simply divine!

➡️ Enjoy cooking meatball bake recipes from scratch at home! If you need additional info, read more about meatballs! I also recommend you to try more tasty Italian meatball recipes published on this website such as Italian ground beef meatballs.

FAQs about Cooking an Italian Meatball Bake

What is an Italian Meatball Bake?

An Italian Meatball Bake is a delicious dish that typically consists of seasoned meatballs cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese. It’s a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for pasta lovers and fans of Italian cuisine.

How do I make Italian meatballs for the bake?

To make Italian meatballs for the bake, you’ll need ground meat (typically a combination of beef and pork), breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, finely chopped onions, eggs, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together, shape the mixture into meatballs, and then bake or cook them before adding them to the tomato sauce.

What kind of cheese is best for the topping?

The choice of cheese for the topping can vary depending on personal preference. However, mozzarella cheese is commonly used for Italian Meatball Bakes as it melts well and adds a gooey, delicious layer to the dish. You can also combine mozzarella with other cheeses like Parmesan or provolone for added flavor.

Can I use store-bought meatballs for the bake?

Yes, you can certainly use store-bought meatballs for convenience. Just make sure to choose meatballs that are of good quality and complement the flavors of the dish. Alternatively, if you prefer homemade meatballs, you can make a batch in advance and freeze them for later use.

What can I serve with an Italian Meatball Bake?

An Italian Meatball Bake is often served with pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, to create a complete and satisfying meal. You can also serve it with a side of crusty bread or a fresh salad to complement the flavors. Additionally, adding some grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs as garnish can enhance the dish even further.

Can I make the Italian Meatball Bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the Italian Meatball Bake ahead of time to save time on the day of serving. You can assemble the dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove it from the refrigerator and follow the recipe’s instructions for cooking time and temperature.

Can I freeze leftovers of the Italian Meatball Bake?

Absolutely! If you have leftovers, you can freeze them for future meals. Allow the dish to cool completely, portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags, and label them with the date. The frozen leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to enjoy them again.

Are there any variations to the Italian Meatball Bake

Yes, there are various ways to customize an Italian Meatball Bake. You can experiment with different types of ground meat, such as using a combination of beef, pork, and veal. Additionally, you can add extra ingredients like diced bell peppers, onions, or herbs to the meatball mixture for added flavor and texture. Feel free to get creative and make the dish your own!