Warm, creamy, and wonderfully comforting, this meatball casserole is the kind of dinner that feels special without extra effort. Tender beef meatballs nestle into a rich, cheesy pasta sauce that bakes into a cozy, family-friendly dish. It’s simple, hearty, and perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until just shy of al dente, then drain.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
- Sear the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat until browned on all sides.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until smooth. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted.
- Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sauce and transfer to a baking dish. Nestle browned meatballs on top.
- Bake 20-22 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Scatter parsley over the top and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Tip
If the sauce thickens too much while baking, add a splash of warm broth when serving to loosen it.
A cozy, creamy bake like this deserves to be saved for your next easy dinner night.
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Easy Creamy Meatball Casserole Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A cozy, creamy meatball casserole baked with pasta in a rich cheese sauce.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta until just shy of al dente, then drain.
2. In a bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Sear the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat until browned on all sides.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until smooth. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan until melted.
5. Combine cooked pasta with the creamy sauce and transfer to a baking dish. Nestle browned meatballs on top.
6. Bake 20-22 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden.
7. Scatter parsley over the top and let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Let the casserole rest a few minutes to help the sauce settle.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American