Meatball and Cheese Bake: A Comforting, Cheesy Delight
- Ground Beef: 1 lb of lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork for flavorful meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs to help bind the meatballs.
- Egg: 1 large egg to hold the meatballs together.
- Garlic: 2-3 cloves of minced garlic for flavor in the meatballs.
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, nutty flavor in the meatballs.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning for a classic herb flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the meatballs.
- Marinara Sauce: 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for that delicious melty topping.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: For garnish
Set the Oven’s Temperature to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the meatballs:
Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper should all be combined in a large mixing basin. Don’t overwork the mixture; just mix everything until it’s properly mixed. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs with your hands, then arrange them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake the Meatballs:
Bake the meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have a light brown, in a preheated oven
Make the Marinara and Cheese:
Cover the bottom of a baking dish with approximately 1 cup of marinara sauce while the meatballs are baking. To assemble the Meatball and Cheese Bake, put the cooked meatballs in the baking dish with the marinara sauce on top. Make sure the meatballs are evenly coated by pouring the leftover marinara sauce over them. Top the meatballs with a liberal amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake till Bubbly: Put the dish back in the oven and bake it for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and beginning to turn a light golden color around the edges.
Serve and Garnish:
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving. Enjoy!