Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil, for frying
For the Casserole:
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
- 3 cups (700 ml) marinara sauce
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil, to prevent sticking
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until just combined. Roll the mixture into 1-2 inch meatballs.
- Sear the Meatballs: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear on all sides until nicely browned, about 8 minutes. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through, as they will finish baking in the casserole.
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Assemble the Casserole: Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the cooked spaghetti evenly into the dish. Arrange the seared meatballs over the spaghetti. Pour the remaining marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs and spaghetti. Sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning over the sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter dish, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Cook the spaghetti just shy of fully done as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- You can assemble the dish a day ahead and bake just before serving.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully and make a great next-day lunch.
- Use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg