You know I have to admit, when I was typing up the recipe for this Meatball Parmesan Casserole I asked myself, is this dish really a casserole? It's such a simple dish, I mean, does it really qualify as a casserole?
So I did a little digging.
Turns out ... by definition of the word ... yes, even this simple dish counts.
Bake up just five simple ingredients to enjoy the cheesy, saucy goodness of this Meatball Parmesan Casserole.
I always think of a casserole as a mixture of quite a few ingredients stirred together, scooped into a baking dish, and baked in the oven. It's the "quite a few ingredients" part of my thinking that would knock this easy dinner dish out of casserole contention.
Because this Meatball Parmesan Casserole is concocted from only five simple ingredients. Which aren't even stirred together, mind you.
But according to the definition of the word "casserole," a casserole is simply a dish that is cooked slowly in an oven, typically in some form of casserole dish ... this type of dish being what originally gave "casseroles" their name.
So yes, by it's virtue of being baked in the oven in a casserole dish, this super-easy, super-simple Meatball Parmesan Casserole does indeed deserve to have bestowed upon it the title of "casserole."
Spoon over noodles or warm garlic bread slices for one super easy and satisfying meal. It makes for a great filling for meatballs subs, too.
And it truly doesn't take much effort to be enjoying its cheesy deliciousness!
Provided your meatballs are already made ... or you're taking advantage of prepared frozen meatballs ... that is. I used my Baked Homemade Meatballs that I had already prepared in advance, so assembling the casserole and popping it in the oven was a snap.
Just place pre-cooked meatballs in a baking dish and smother them with sauce. Then bake them for a bit and sprinkle on a good layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese ...
Bake for a bit longer until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just beginning to brown a little in spots ...
Then dig on in to the cheesy, saucy goodness.
Enjoy the meatballs just as they are ... spoon them over noodles or warm garlic bread slices ... or, serve them as a filling for meatballs subs. We like to spoon ours over noodles or garlic bread.
But hey, we're not picky ... we'll take these tasty meatballs any which way we can!
Meatball Parmesan Casserole
20 to 25 large meatballs, cooked*
2 (24 oz.) jars marinara sauce
2 c. shredded mozzarella
1/4 c. shredded or grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 to 2 T. chopped fresh parsley {optional}
Directions
Place meatballs in a greased casserole dish. Pour sauce evenly over the top. Baked, covered, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Uncover and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes more or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and just beginning to brown a bit.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley {optional}.
Serve as-is, spooned over noodles or warm garlic bread slices, or as a filling in sub rolls.
* Make your own homemade meatballs, or use prepared frozen meatballs. You can also use the smaller frozen cocktail meatballs ... just pour in enough to fill the bottom of the baking dish in a single layer with perhaps a few stacked up on top.
Enjoy!
Place meatballs in a greased casserole dish. Pour sauce evenly over the top. Baked, covered, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
Uncover and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes more or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and just beginning to brown a bit.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley {optional}.
Serve as-is, spooned over noodles or warm garlic bread slices, or as a filling in sub rolls.
* Make your own homemade meatballs, or use prepared frozen meatballs. You can also use the smaller frozen cocktail meatballs ... just pour in enough to fill the bottom of the baking dish in a single layer with perhaps a few stacked up on top.
Enjoy!
