Meatball Casserole Recipe

Our Meatball Casserole Recipe is perfect for Italian night and a great low carb friendly recipe, too! I adore easy recipes and this cheesy meatball casserole is always a huge hit with my whole family!

If you’re looking for an easy family dinner, this simple recipe is it!

For this recipe, you can use your own meatball recipe or frozen meatballs from the grocery store. I almost always have some kind of homemade meatballs in my freezer thanks to my Italian mother-in-law!

• Classic Italian Meatballs – traditional ground beef recipe
• Keto Chicken Meatballs – a great low carb meatball recipe
• Italian Chicken Meatballs – always a family favorite

You can use frozen meatballs, just be sure to thaw them first.

🔪 Instructions

1. In a baking dish, mix the marinara sauce and chopped baby spinach together.
2. Add the cooked meatballs on top of the sauce.
3. Top with ricotta cheese and shredded cheese. (If you prefer more sauce, add it before the shredded cheese.)
4. Bake for 30 minutes at 375-F until the cheese is bubbly.

🥄Equipment

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Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:

• 9×13 casserole dish
• Liquid measuring cup
• Dry measuring cups

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🍴 Serving Suggestions

Baked meatball casserole is a great addition to any Italian night. Sometimes I like to garnish it with a little bit of fresh basil. Try it alongside a veggie lasagna, pork stuffed zucchini, American goulash, or leftover spaghetti casserole.

Serve this casserole dish with a big Italian side salad, your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or even parmesan risotto. It’s totally delicious with breadsticks or garlic bread, too.

Leftover casserole makes a great shortcut meatball sub, too!

👉 Find more recipes using meatballs.

🍲 Storage

To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container or a glass baking dish with a cover. (Don’t use aluminum foil for storing acidic foods like tomato sauce.)

(These are my favorite airtight containers.)

To Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30 second intervals until heated throughout.

To Freeze: Assemble the casserole without the cheese. Cover with plastic wrap and place into a 2-gallon freezer bag. Be sure to label it!

To Thaw: For best results, thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

✏️ Make Ahead

You can assemble your cheesy meatball casserole a day or two ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Be sure to cover it with plastic wrap. Bake as directed, although you may need a few more minutes.

⭐ Tips

✔️ Avoid using aluminum foil when storing tomato dishes. Tomato sauce can interact with aluminum, making the sauce taste bitter.

✔️ You can easily double this meatball casserole recipe for a potluck or party.

📖 Variations

The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our meatball casserole recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:

• When I use store-bought pasta sauce, I like to add a little bit of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
• To make this a keto meatball casserole, use our Keto Chicken Meatballs.
• For a lower calorie dish, substitute cottage cheese for the ricotta. If you’re not a fan of ricotta, try cream cheese or mascarpone instead.

Sometimes I make a version of this dish using sweet ot hot Italian sausage instead of pork, chicken, or beef meatballs. (Of course then it’s not meatball casserole!)

You can also make this a one pan meal… here’s how:

1. Mix 1lb uncooked pasta with 24 ounces of tomato sauce, 1 cup of milk, and 2 cups of water in a 9×12 or 9×13 baking dish.
2. Add meatballs and seasonings and mix to combine.
3. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
4. Stir and check that the pasta is al dente. If not, return it to the oven and check again in a couple of minutes.
5. Top with cheese and bake 5-10 minutes longer until the cheese is melted.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Making this in the slow cooker is a great way to keep it warm for parties.

1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Set on LOW for 4 hours.

😋 Similar Recipes

If you love recipes using store-bought or your own meatballs, try one of these delicious recipes next time:

• Meatball Cupcakes – super simple recipe
• Easy Meatball Sliders – great for game day
• Meatball Calzones – another great way to use leftover meatballs
• Chicken Meatball Subs – better than takeout!

Not ready to make this Meatball Casserole Recipe yet?

When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!

More Great Recipes You’ll Love

• Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup – always a big hit with my husband
• Italian Sausage Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes – with fresh simple ingredients
• Homemade Basil Pesto – so good with dinner rolls or bread sticks.
• Ro-Tel Chicken Spaghetti – super easy family dinner

Meal Planning

Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.

Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.