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Got unexpected guests or need a quick dinner idea? Look no further than this Italian Cheesy Meatball Bake recipe! Easy, cheesy, and always impressive, it’s the go-to quick dinner recipe every busy cook needs. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is a lifesaver on hectic days.
I may be the only person in the world for whom this happens, but I doubt it. On a whim, I invite a bunch of friends over for Sunday Dinner. Or the phone rings and just like that I need to get a meal on the table in a big hurry because guests are on their way.
Those are the occasions that I sprint to an amazing recipe that is easy to prepare, delicious to eat, and quite impressive, too. Think: Italian restaurant in a pan. While it’s in the oven I make a big salad and we’re good to go.
- MORE: 16 Quick and Easy Recipes to Make the Best Salad Dressings From Scratch
Why This Is The Best Quick Dinner Recipe
This is a recipe that kids love as well as adults. It’s just amazing and I bless the day that the folks at Pillsbury came up with the idea. I, of course, have tweaked the recipe a bit, but I give credit where credit is due.
You need to try this recipe. Don’t worry about being exact or that you aren’t a great cook. This is the most forgiving recipe in the world. As long as you do not burn it, there is no way this will turn out anything but fabulous. And it will save you a ton of money when you can whip this out in no time, rather than calling for takeout. Or worse, picking up the tab to take the entire group to a restaurant.
What You’ll Need
Life can be unpredictable, but I’ve learned to keep my kitchen stocked with essentials for those impromptu meal moments. You will always find a bag of Italian meatballs from Costco and several loaves of Italian bread in my freezer, a big jar of marinara sauce in my grocery stockpile, and cheese in the fridge. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
Meatballs
For time-saving convenience, I recommend using frozen Italian meatballs. You will need 1 pound or roughly 32 meatballs. Frozen Italian meatballs are readily available in most grocery store freezer sections, and I prefer the ones from Costco for their quality and flavor. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and have some leisurely weekend time, consider batch-making and freezing your own homemade Italian meatballs.
Loaf of Bread
Opt for Italian or French bread, pre-sliced for convenience.
Sauce
You’ll need a jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce, approximately 28 ounces. Feel free to choose your favorite brand or homemade recipe if you have one on hand.
Cheeses
Make sure you have Mozzarella cheese, Italian blend cheese, and Parmesan cheese, all shredded, in your fridge. These cheeses will come together to create that irresistible cheesy goodness that defines this dish.
Butter
For toasting the bread. Consider adding some fresh minced garlic or garlic powder to elevate the flavors. If you’re opting for a healthier alternative, olive oil can be used instead.
Spices, optional
Feel free to customize the flavor profile of your Italian Cheesy Bake by adding garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste when warming the meatballs and sauce. Additionally, you may garnish the dish with some fresh basil or parsley after removing it from the oven for an added burst of flavor and freshness.
- MORE: Help! I’m Too Tired to Cook
How to Make the Italian Cheesy Meatball Bake—Cheaper, Better, Faster!
Preparing this mouthwatering Italian Cheesy Meatball Bake is simpler and faster than you might imagine! Follow these easy steps to create a dish that will impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While it heats up, place the entire bag of frozen Italian meatballs in a medium saucepan with marinara sauce. Feel free to customize the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to suit your taste. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Once the meatballs are warmed through, transfer them to the center of a 9×13 baking dish. Next, generously layer mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses over the meatballs, finishing off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Lightly spread garlic butter on the slices of Italian or French bread, or brush them lightly with olive oil and minced garlic. Place the prepared bread on a sheet pan, ensuring each slice is well-coated for maximum flavor.
Place both the meatball-filled baking dish and the prepared bread in the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is lightly toasted. Keep an eye on the bread as oven temperatures may vary.
Once done, remove the Italian Cheesy Bake from the oven. To add an elegant touch, line the perimeter of the meatball pan with the toasted bread slices, allowing them to stand up around the edges. This not only looks impressive but also adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
This recipe serves 6 to 8 people, but feel free to multiply the ingredients for larger gatherings.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying Italian meal that’s sure to become a favorite among family and friends. Buon appetito!
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5 from 2 votes
Quick Dinner Recipe: Italian Cheesy Meatball Bake
Got unexpected guests or need a quick dinner idea? Look no further than this Italian Cheesy Meatball Bake recipe! Easy, cheesy, and always impressive, it's the go-to quick dinner recipe every busy cook needs. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is a lifesaver on hectic days.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Calories: 42kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen Italian meatballs, about 32
- 1 jar marinara or spaghetti sauce, about 28 oz.
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 loaf Italian or French bread, sliced
- 1/2 cup butter, or olive oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 F. While the oven heats up, pour the entire bag of meatballs into a medium saucepan along with your preferred marinara or spaghetti sauce. For added flavor, feel free to enhance the sauce with garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper to your liking. Heat the meatballs over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until they are warmed through, which typically takes about 10 minutes. Once heated, remove the saucepan from the heat source.
Meanwhile, lightly spread each slice of bread with butter or brush them lightly with olive oil. Arrange the prepared bread slices on a sheet pan, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Even if you opt to leave the bread plain, the dish will still turn out wonderfully flavorful and delicious.
Arrange the meatballs and sauce evenly in the center of a 9x13 baking dish. Next, generously layer a mixture of mozzarella and Italian blend cheeses over the meatballs, ensuring they are fully covered. Finish by sprinkling a generous amount of Parmesan cheese on top to add a deliciously savory finish to the dish.
Transfer the prepared baking dish of meatballs and the sheet pan of bread slices into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, and the bread slices are lightly toasted. It's essential to monitor the bread closely, as oven temperatures may vary, ensuring it reaches the perfect level of crispness without burning.
Once baked, carefully take the dish out of the oven. Arrange the toasted bread slices around the meatballs in the pan. This adds a nice touch to the presentation and gives a variety of textures. Serve and enjoy this tasty Italian Cheesy Bake, perfect for 6 to 8 servings. It's easy to make for larger gatherings too.
Nutrition
Calories: 42kcal | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 87mg | Potassium: 10mg | Vitamin A: 95IU | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Question:What is your go-to quick dinner recipe when you have unexpected guests? Comment down below.
