This easy cheesy meatball casserole boasts just 5 ingredients, yet is still packed with flavor... Serve it as is, over pasta, or on sandwich rolls for a versatile weeknight dinner!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carando®. All opinions are entirely my own.
Meatball Casserole For The Win!
It's no secret that fall is NOT one of my favorite seasons - the unpredictable weather, soggy leaves covering the ground, those first few flakes of snow that signal winter is on its way... Actually, I'm okay with the snow. That is, through about January 1st, and then I've had my fill for the year. But overall, I'm definitely a spring/summer kind of girl.
But I do admit that fall does have some perks - namely football season, pumpkin everything, and yummy comfort food... The temps haven't exactly been cooperating here, but I've still been stepping up my comfort food game over the past week or so, starting with this cheesy meatball casserole! I mean, casseroles and fall just go hand in hand. Right?
Start With Browned Carando Abruzzese Meatballs
This cheesy meatball casserole gets its start with Carando Abruzzese Meatballs. You'll find these Italian-style meatballs in the fresh meat deli section at Giant Eagle.
Filled with Old World flavors, like premium pork, Parmesan cheese, and parsley, they're a super versatile way to get a delicious dinner on the table fast! And I feel good knowing that Carando meatballs contain no MSG or fillers. In addition, they're also gluten-free if that's a concern of yours.
For this dish, I opted to brown them on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet according to the cooking instructions: 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees, turning once, until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees. This adds some depth of flavor, and then just peel the foil off the baking sheet and use it for some crusty homemade garlic bread to serve on the side!
5-Ingredient Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Fresh spinach is a fantastic way to add a boost of nutritious greens to hot dishes. I regularly stir it into Italian fare, because it just kind of melts into the sauce. In fact, it's so mellow that I've found that my kids don't even bother trying to pick it out! #momwin
I did just that in this yummy meatball casserole by stirring a few large handfuls of fresh spinach into the marinara sauce. Next, I nestled the cooked meatballs down in the sauce, and then proceeded to drop large teaspoonfuls of ricotta cheese all around them.
Finally, I sprinkled about a cup-and-a-half of shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese all over the top, and then put it in the oven to bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes. If you want to add a little browning to the cheese, simply pop it under the broiler for 3-4 minutes.
Easiest Ever Meatball Casserole
That's it! Just 5 ingredients to a flavorful and filling casserole dinner, and I have to say that I adore how flexible this recipe is. You can serve it up as is, or you can stretch it a bit by spooning it over cooked noodles. Or over white or brown rice. Or put it in a sub roll... So many possibilities!
Printable Recipe ↓
5-Ingredient Cheesy Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 (16-ounce) packages fresh italian-style meatballs
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups baby spinach, packed
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Place the meatballs on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once.
- In the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish or large round pan, mix together the marinara sauce and baby spinach. Place the cooked meatballs in the dish, nestling them down in the sauce. Dot the top of the meatballs with teaspoonfuls of ricotta cheese. Sprinkle all of the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly. If desired, you can place the dish under the broiler for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the cheese is starting to brown.
More yummy & easy casserole recipes to try:
- This easy green bean casserole recipe is my family's version of the classic recipe and uses only 3 ingredients, including canned green beans... Because who needs another complicated side dish recipe? NOT this mama!
- This custardy creamed corn casserole recipe is SO good you'll want to scrape the dish clean to get every last bit of caramelized goodness... My favorite of all the corn casserole recipes I've tried, just like my grandma made it!
- This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy homemade macaroni and cheese at its best! Gooey and cheesy with a layer of crushed potato chips on top for texture...
- Give this yummy Mexican tater tot casserole a try for your next Taco Tuesday! Taco-spiced saucy ground beef, black beans, and corn, topped off with crispy tater tots and cheese makes for an easy family-favorite dinner.
- This divine ooey-gooey cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole recipe comes together with just 6 simple ingredients, all of which you likely already have in your pantry and freezer!
Or you might also want to try these crockpot meatball subs!! So perfect for busy weeknights...
Carando Meatballs at Giant Eagle
I bet you're dying to run out and pick up some Carando Meatballs now... Yes? Well, you'll also want to give their Sicilian variety a try - both the Sicilian and the Abruzzese variety are equally tasty!
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your meatball casserole turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Hattie Lyons says
Easy and delicious. Is it supposed to be a thick consistency?
Tara Kuczykowski says
So happy you loved it, Hattie! It will have a somewhat thinner consistency when it first comes out of the oven. Then it should thicken up a bit as it cools. If you'd prefer it thicker still, you could try baking the meatballs, sauce, and spinach by themselves for 10-15 minutes. Then add the cheeses and continue with the recipe.
Diane White says
I also topped it with mozzarella cheese.
Diane White says
Delicious and easy. Used 12 frozen plant based meatballs, kale, fresh basil, 1 jar of marinara sauce, and baked it in a 8" casserole dish. Served it over cooked sliced red cabbage.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Sounds delicious, Diane! If you're an ALDI shopper, check out their Zesty Italian Vegan Meatballs. We love them!
Diane says
Delicious! Used 12 plant based meatballs, kale, and 8 oz. mozzarella ball sliced. Served with penne pasta and pesto.
Marcia says
My husband came home with these meatballs for something different for dinner. I followed the recipe except I didn't add the spinach. I used Rao's marina. It was very tasty and I certainly will make it again, but will add pasta in the bottom of the pan.
Tracy Schellhorn says
Need to make 1/2 for hubby and I and BRING other half (with pasta) to a couple needing some meals made for them. If I cook penne pasta Al dent and place this sauce on top do you recommend adding more marinara for reheat tomorrow? Also would you reheat with foil lid tight to retain moisture? temp? time to reheat?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Tracy — this dish is great for sharing! I'd recommend reheating the pasta and sauce in a baking dish that's covered tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in a 350 degree oven and cook for around 20 minutes. You shouldn't need to add any additional sauce to it.
Linda says
I'm making this right now - and is looking amazing! I enjoy cooking and enjoy trying recipes someone else loves.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hope you loved it, Linda!
Lillian says
This looks so yummy! Could you use frozen meatballs in this recipe? For something a little quicker?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, absolutely! If they're already fully cooked and frozen, you can just add them in their frozen state and increase the baking time. If they're uncooked frozen meatballs, I recommend baking them first (like with these fresh ones) and then following the recipe as it is. Enjoy!
Dh says
I googled the meatballs and they aren’t found within 200 miles of me. What would be a more mainstream second suggestion? Thanks!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Aww, that's a bummer... Another brand we like is Cooked Perfect, and I think they're more widely available. Hope you enjoy your meatball casserole!
Nikki says
What would you sugggest to make with it as a side dish?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Great question, Nikki! I feel like you can't go wrong with a simple side salad, and this Italian chopped salad is just that — with a little twist that keeps it from being the same old boring side salad you typically see. You could also make a batch of homemade garlic bread. It takes just 15 minutes! Finally, if you're looking for a veggie side, try these sautéed green beans.
Tosha Ornelas says
This looks yummy saving to recipes so I can cook it soon! I love simple recipes with minimal ingredients!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Thanks, Tosha! Hope your family loves it, too. Anything with meatballs is always a winner around here!
Yani says
@Tara @ Unsophisticook,
Could this be cooked in the crockpot?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Yani! Yes, you could definitely cook this in a crockpot. I would cook it for 5-6 hours on high or 8 hours on low, until the sauce is bubbling and the meatballs are cooked through. You would still need to pop it under the broiler if you want the mozzarella to brown, though.
remax says
look like pizza