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Cheesy Baked Meatballs

A delightful dish that combines tender meatballs with marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese, perfect for family dinners and game nights.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier version.
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Plus more for topping.
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup whole milk Increase the amount for turkey meatballs.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
  • 2 cups marinara sauce Can be swapped for barbecue sauce.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Mix gently just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
  4. Shape the mixture into approximately 18–20 meatballs and place them in the prepared baking dish.
Baking
  1. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
  2. Pour marinara sauce over and around the meatballs.
  3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and a little extra Parmesan cheese on top.
  4. Return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F and cheese is melted and bubbly.
  5. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve over spaghetti, in a sub roll, or as a snack. To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days or freeze for about three months.