Meatball Casserole

I found this recipe on FB and it looked so good I had to try it.  I’m putting my own spin on it with my own heirloom tomatoes marinara sauce, and adding my new ingredient turmeric for a healthier me.  Sharing it with Eddie's family.

Meatball Casserole

1 bag of frozen meatballs (I used Rosine Frozen Meatballs)

1 jar of stewed tomatoes  

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

Fresh basil and oregano

Salt and pepper to taste  

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1 cup Provolone cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese plus additional for bread

1 loaf of fresh Italian bread

Olive oil

I went the easy route and bought my meatballs but you can make your own by mixing hamburger and Italian sausage and baking them in the oven. 

Preheat your oven to 400. Stew you tomatoes and add your garlic, onion, salt and pepper to taste.  You may use store bought marinara sauce if you wish.  Place the entire bag of meatballs in pot with marinara sauce and cook over medium heat until warmed completely through, about 10 minutes.  Taste and see if you want to add additional seasonings like garlic or onion powder.  I usually add it.  Stir as needed to keep meatballs from sticking to pot.

Don’t forget the turmeric.  Once heated through remove from heat.  Add the chopped fresh basil and oregano. 

Make garlic bread by drizzling olive oil on French bread.  Sprinkle it with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese.  Put under the broiler and broil until it is toasted.  Do not walk away.  I leave the door open and stand there and watch so I do not burn it (this is experience talking).

 Place your garlic toast on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and around the sides.

Place your meatball mixture with the marinara sauce on top of the garlic bread. Layer mozzarella and Provolone over meatballs topping off with the Parmesan.

Bake in oven 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top. 

Variation – This dish is like a tomato dressing because the sauce soaks into the bread on the bottom of the pan.  The bread on the sides stays crusty.  If you like, you do not need to put bread on the bottom of the dish and sit your bread up on it’s sides so it sits higher so you get more crusty bread.  You can also put some cooked pasta in the bottom of the pan and put the meatballs and sauce over the pasta.  You’ll have a great one pan dish with crusty bread, pasta, and meatballs.  You can vary the cheeses also.  Fresh mozzarella on top and no Provolone cheese topped with grated Parmesan cheese would be great also. 

Have a great day, be happy and may God bless you and yours.