Meatball And Mozzarella Bake

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Enjoy This Dish Because It’s Both Versatile And Simple. I Can Make The Meatballs From Scratch Or Save Time With Store-Bought Sauce. The Broiled Mozzarella On Top Turns Golden And Bubbly, Adding That Extra Comfort Factor I Always Crave. It’s Also A Crowd-Pleaser—Perfect For Family Dinners, Potlucks, Or Game Day Gatherings.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

For The Meatballs:

• 1 Pound Ground Beef

• ¼ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs

• ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated

• ¼ Cup Milk

• 1 Egg

• 1 Teaspoon Salt

• ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper

• 1 Teaspoon Garlic, Minced

For The Quick Marinara Sauce (Optional):

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

• 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

• 1 Can (28 Oz) Crushed Tomatoes

• 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano

• ½ Teaspoon Salt

• ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper

• ½ Teaspoon Sugar (Optional, To Balance Acidity)

• ¼ Cup Fresh Basil, Chopped (Optional)

For The Bake:

• 1 Jar (Or Quick Marinara Sauce, Above)

• 2 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

• Fresh Or Dried Parsley For Garnish

Directions

Prepare The Meatballs:

1. I Preheat My Broiler And Line A Baking Sheet With Foil.

2. In A Large Bowl, I Mix Together The Ground Beef, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Milk, Egg, Salt, Pepper, And Garlic Until Just Combined.

3. I Shape The Mixture Into 1 ½-Inch Meatballs And Place Them On The Baking Sheet.

4. I Broil Them For 8–10 Minutes, Flipping Halfway, Until Fully Cooked.

Make The Quick Marinara Sauce (If Using):

1. I Heat Olive Oil In A Saucepan Over Medium Heat.

2. I Add Garlic And Sauté For About 30 Seconds Until Fragrant.

3. I Stir In Crushed Tomatoes, Oregano, Salt, Pepper, And Sugar If Desired, Then Simmer For 10–15 Minutes.

4. I Add Fresh Basil During The Last 5 Minutes.

Assemble The Bake:

1. I Transfer The Meatballs Into A 9×13 Baking Dish.

2. I Pour Marinara Sauce (Homemade Or Jarred) Over Them.

3. I Sprinkle Mozzarella Evenly On Top.

4. I Broil For 3–5 Minutes Until The Cheese Is Melted And Bubbly.

Garnish And Serve:

1. I Sprinkle Parsley Over The Top.

2. I Serve With Pasta, Bread Rolls, Or Enjoy It On Its Own.

Servings And Timing

This Recipe Makes About 6 Servings. It Takes Around 15 Minutes To Prep, 10 Minutes To Cook The Meatballs, And 5 Minutes To Broil, For A Total Of About 35 Minutes.

Variations

I Sometimes Swap Ground Beef For A Mix Of Beef And Pork For A Richer Flavor. If I Want A Spicy Version, I Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes To The Sauce Or Use Spicy Sausage Meatballs. For A Lighter Version, I Use Ground Turkey And Low-Fat Cheese.

Storage/Reheating

Leftovers Keep Well In The Fridge For Up To 4 Days. I Reheat Them In The Oven At 350°F Until Warm Or In The Microwave For A Quick Meal. This Bake Also Freezes Nicely—Either Just The Meatballs Or The Whole Assembled Dish—For Up To 2 Months.

FAQs

Can I Use Store-Bought Meatballs?

Yes, I Sometimes Use Frozen Meatballs For A Faster Option.

Do I Have To Make The Marinara Sauce From Scratch?

No, Jarred Sauce Works Perfectly If I Want To Save Time.

Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes, I Assemble The Dish Ahead And Refrigerate It Until Ready To Broil The Cheese Just Before Serving.

What’s The Best Pasta To Serve With This?

I Like Serving It With Spaghetti Or Penne, But Any Pasta Works Well.

Can I Add Extra Toppings?

Absolutely—I Sometimes Add Sliced Olives, Red Pepper Flakes, Or Extra Parmesan On Top.

Conclusion

I Love Making Meatball And Mozzarella Bake Because It’s Easy, Versatile, And Always Delicious. The Juicy Meatballs, Tangy Sauce, And Melted Cheese Create A Dish That Feels Comforting Yet Special Enough To Serve Guests. Whether I Pair It With Pasta, Bread, Or Serve It Alone, It’s A Guaranteed Favorite.

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