Meatball and mozzarella bake is the perfect dish to bring joy to your holiday table or any dinner gathering. This recipe features tender, homemade meatballs baked to perfection in a rich tomato sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. Whether you serve it as a standalone dish, pair it with pasta, or create mini meatball sliders, this versatile recipe will become a family favorite!
Why Meatball and Mozzarella Bake?
Meatballs are an all-season favorite, and ground beef is easy to find on sale year-round. This dish is easy to scale up if you’re feeding a crowd—just double or triple the recipe. Plus, the festive combination of red sauce, white cheese, and green parsley makes it visually stunning for holiday spreads.
How to Make Meatball and Mozzarella Bake
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef (can scale up to 3 lbs for batch cooking)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Bake:
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or tomato sauce (or homemade)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parsley for garnish (fresh or dried)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Using a 1 1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
- Broil the Meatballs:
- Place the meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil on high for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Assemble the Bake:
- Preheat your oven to broil. Transfer the cooked meatballs into a 9×13 baking dish.
- Pour marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the top.
- Bake:
- Broil the dish for 3–5 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle chopped parsley or dried parsley over the dish for a festive red, white, and green finish. Serve warm.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a side dish at a holiday party.
- Pair with pasta for a hearty dinner.
- Use crusty rolls to create meatball sliders for a fun appetizer or meal.
Tips for Success:
- Batch Cooking: Make extra meatballs and freeze for later. Use them in this recipe or as a quick addition to other meals.
- Homemade Sauce: If you have time, whip up your own tomato sauce for extra flavor.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the meatball ingredients can lead to dense meatballs. Combine just until everything is incorporated.
Why You’ll Love It:
This meatball and mozzarella bake is easy to prepare, looks stunning on a holiday table, and delivers classic comfort food flavor with minimal effort. Make it the star of your next gathering!
Enjoy your meatball and mozzarella bake, and let me know how it turns out!
Meatball and Mozzarella Bake
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This comforting Meatball and Mozzarella Bake combines juicy meatballs, gooey melted mozzarella, and a rich marinara sauce for an irresistible meal. Perfect as a main dish, side, or even served with bread for sliders, this versatile recipe is a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 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
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1/4 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
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meatballs:
- Preheat your broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic. Mix gently to combine, being careful not to overmix.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop (or your hands) to form meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Broil for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through.
-
Make the Quick Marinara Sauce (if using):
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar (if desired). Simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add fresh basil during the last 5 minutes, if using.
-
Assemble the Bake:
- Preheat your oven to broil.
- Transfer the cooked meatballs to a 9×13 baking dish. Pour marinara sauce (homemade or jarred) evenly over the meatballs.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Broil for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with parsley for a festive touch.
- Serve with pasta, bread rolls, or enjoy as a standalone dish.
Notes
- Double or triple the meatball recipe to freeze extra for future meals.
- Use dried parsley if fresh isn’t available.
- Pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Cook Time: 35
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