Meatball Parmesan Bake
Ingredients:
– ½ cup dry breadcrumbs or 4 slices stale white bread
– 2 tablespoons milk or cream or buttermilk
– 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
– ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
– 1 ½ teaspoon dried parsley
– 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil
– ½ teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 ½ pounds ground chuck or a blend of ground pork, ground sirloin, and ground chuck
– 2 cups marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
– ½ pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 2-inch pieces
Directions:
Preheat and Prepare:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Prepare Meatball Mixture:
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk, allowing breadcrumbs to soak for 5 minutes. Add eggs, salt, pepper, ⅓ of the Parmesan, parsley, basil, and oregano, mixing until well combined. Gently fold in ground meat, forming mixture into 2½-inch balls.
Bake Meatballs:
3. Place meatballs on prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through. Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes for deeper color.
Prepare Sauce:
4. While meatballs bake, heat marinara sauce in a saucepan or prepare homemade sauce.
Assemble and Bake:
5. Brush a skillet with canola oil or nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of sauce in skillet, sprinkle with ⅓ of the grated Parmesan, then arrange meatballs with space between them. Pour remaining sauce over meatballs, sprinkle with another third of Parmesan, and bake at 375°F for 20-30 minutes until sauce is hot and bubbly.
Add Cheese:
6. Top each meatball with a slice of fresh mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. Continue baking until cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Serve:
7. Allow Meatball Parmesan to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with toasted Italian baguette and a side salad for a satisfying meal.
**Bon Appétit!** 🍝🧀
