Baked Meatball Casserole

Ingredients:

**For the Meatballs:**
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 egg
– 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– Salt and pepper to taste

**For the Casserole:**
– 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Meatballs:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
– In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
– Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
– In a large skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

2. **Assemble the Casserole:**
– In a large baking dish, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom.
– Arrange the browned meatballs on top of the sauce.
– Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs.
– Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

3. **Bake the Casserole:**
– Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
– Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are cooked through.

4. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
– Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Baked Meatball Casserole with Cheese and Tomato Sauce!