Description
This Easy Meatball Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender egg noodles, savory marinara sauce, and flavorful meatballs all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this casserole combines simple ingredients with straightforward steps to deliver a satisfying meal in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3 cups uncooked egg noodles
Meatball Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups (a 24 oz. jar) marinara sauce
- 24 ounces meatballs (frozen cooked meatballs recommended)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the top third for even baking.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to package instructions but cook for 1-2 minutes less to keep them slightly firm; then drain and transfer to a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Sauté Onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onion for 4-5 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare Sauce and Meatballs: Add marinara sauce and meatballs to the skillet. Heat through over medium heat, simmering and stirring occasionally until meatballs are fully thawed and heated (about 8-10 minutes for frozen meatballs). Break a meatball in half to ensure it’s thoroughly warm.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the meatball sauce mixture over the cooked noodles in the casserole dish. Add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and toss everything together evenly. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Bake: Spread the mixture out evenly in the dish and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Optional Broil: For a golden, bubbly cheese topping, broil the casserole for a few minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Notes
- Use frozen cooked meatballs for convenience; ensure they are fully thawed and heated through before baking.
- Cooking noodles slightly under package directions helps prevent overcooking during baking.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste after combining ingredients for better seasoning control.
- Broiling at the end caramelizes the cheese for an appetizing golden crust but keep a close eye to avoid burning.
