Description

This Meatball Casserole brings together savory ground beef, rigatoni, and a rich marinara sauce, creating the perfect family meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. It’s the ideal dish for a quick dinner or a hearty comfort food gathering!

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ pounds ground beef
¾ cup breadcrumbs plain or italian-style
½ cup milk
1 large egg
½ cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
2 teaspoons garlic minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound rigatoni pasta
28 ounces marinara sauce
15 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
2 cups fresh spinach
2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently and avoid overmixing. Form into 1½ inch meatballs and place them on parchment paper.
Cook the rigatoni pasta in a large pot according to package instructions, stopping just before it reaches al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs in batches for about 1½ minutes on each side, then remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, stirring occasionally.
In a baking dish, layer half of the pasta, followed by half of the sauce mixture and 1 cup of cheese. Add the remaining pasta and sauce, then place the meatballs on top and finish with the remaining cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative.
For added flavor, mix in some red pepper flakes or additional herbs into the meat mixture.
Ensure the pasta is slightly undercooked to prevent sogginess after baking.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 545
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 785mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 51g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 90mg