Description
Hearty slow cooker meatball casserole brings comfort and flavor from Italy to your dinner table. Savory beef meatballs nestled in rich tomato sauce create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag (24 oz / 680 g) frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Lightly spray the interior of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Meatball Layer: Arrange meatballs in the slow cooker and pour marinara sauce, ensuring complete coverage and creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Seasoning Integration: Incorporate Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper throughout the mixture, gently stirring to distribute flavors evenly and enhance overall taste profile.
- Pasta Incorporation: Submerge uncooked pasta within the sauce, positioning pieces to guarantee uniform cooking and maximum sauce absorption.
- Cooking Progression: Select high temperature setting for 2.5-3 hours or low setting for 5-6 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and pasta to reach optimal tenderness while developing deep, complex flavors.
- Cheese Finalization: Generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface, creating a luxurious molten blanket that transforms the casserole’s texture and visual appeal.
- Serving Presentation: Once cheese becomes golden and bubbling, remove from slow cooker and garnish with fresh herbs, presenting a vibrant, aromatic dish ready for immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir pasta gently midway through cooking to avoid clumping and ensure even moisture distribution.
- Customize Meat Options: Swap traditional beef meatballs with turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences or health considerations.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese during the last 30 minutes of cooking to achieve perfect golden-brown melting without burning.
- Liquid Balance Matters: Adjust marinara sauce quantity if using different pasta types to maintain ideal moisture and prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg