Say hello to your new favorite comfort-dinner bake. This Baked Meatball Casserole is hearty, saucy, and loaded with melty mozzarella, tender meatballs, and a creamy Greek yogurt layer that adds just the right tang.
It's one of those recipes that checks every box: easy to assemble, bakes in one dish, and feeds a hungry family without complaints. That combination of rich marinara, gooey cheese, and a creamy center? It's the kind of dinner that disappears fast.
Whether it's a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal, this casserole delivers big flavor with very little effort; and once you make it once, it's bound to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
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Why Everyone Loves Meatball Casserole
It's the perfect combination of scratch cooking, Italian flavors, and comforting textures; all baked to perfection in one pan.
This easy-to-make casserole is both filling and simple, making it an ideal weeknight meal for busy families.
As a food professional, I love sharing recipes like this that are not only delicious but also straightforward.
You won't need to worry about multiple pots or pans; this one-pot meal makes cleanup a breeze! Whether paired with a side of salad or crusty bread, this casserole is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
For The Meatballs
- Ground meat - use all beef or a combination of ground beef and pork.
- Breadcrumbs - plain or Italian-flavored breadcrumbs are both good options. Use gluten-free, if needed.
- Milk - adds moisture.
- Egg yolk - an egg yolk will help bind the meatballs. Save the whites for frittata.
- Italian seasoning - use an Italian seasoning premix or individual spices (at least 2-3 different dried herbs).
- Salt and ground pepper - add salt and pepper to taste.
- Onion - a small onion, chopped, adds flavor to the meatballs.
- Parmesan cheese - freshly grated parmesan will melt evenly and will add some natural saltiness.
For more comforting, Italian-inspired recipes from scratch, check out my Olive Garden baked ziti, healthy Tuscan soup, and pasta Fazool. These recipes are all designed with easy, comforting meals in mind; perfect for any occasion!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
For the Baked Casserole
- Ziti pasta - ziti pasta works well with the sauce and meatballs, cooked and drained. Penne, fusilli are both great options.
- Marinara sauce - use a jar of marinara sauce or pasta sauce both work well as would a basic tomato sauce.
- Cooked meatballs - prepare meatballs as per above, use frozen, or use your own recipe.
- Mozzarella cheese - shredded mozzarella makes this casserole ooey gooey good. If you can, grate it from a block for better melting.
- Greek yogurt - use plain, full-fat Greek yogurt to add richness to the baked ziti. Sour cream is also an option.
- Parmesan cheese - freshly grated parmesan, for garnish, adds more cheesy goodness and a touch of saltiness.
- Fresh basil leaves - garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor. Fresh parsley is another option.
This meatball recipe uses a combination of ground pork and beef but you can use any combination you like; beef/pork/veal/turkey or chicken.
How To Prepare The Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork and ground beef.
Stir breadcrumbs into meat and then pour milk on top.
Let the milk absorb into the meat and breadcrumbs while you get the onions ready.
Stir onion, egg yolk, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat and breadcrumb mixture.
Combine the ingredients well without overworking.
Using a large cookie scoop or tablespoon, shape the mixture into balls and place them on a baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil or lined with parchment paper.
Bake the meatballs in the oven at 425°F for 20 minutes.
How To Assemble The Baked Ziti Meatball Casserole
Combine drained pasta and 14 of the juicy meatballs in a large mixing bowl.
Cover with marinara sauce and stir until both the pasta and tender meatballs are completely covered in sauce.
Transfer the meatball and pasta mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish.
Spread Greek yogurt over the top, stirring slightly to incorporate it.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the casserole.
Bake in a 375°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce bubbles.
Garnish with fresh basil and a few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Quick Tip Before You Bake
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the layers set slightly and makes serving cleaner while keeping everything creamy inside.
If you love this meatball casserole try million dollar chicken, chicken alfredo pasta bake and spaghetti with meat sauce next!
Why Greek Yogurt Works So Well Here?
You can use ricotta in baked ziti, but it often turns slightly grainy once baked. Greek yogurt stays smooth and creamy, helps balance the acidity of the marinara sauce, and keeps the casserole from feeling heavy.
If you love extra sauce, you can double the yogurt; it makes the whole dish even creamier and more irresistible. Yum!
Tips
- You can use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own. Using store-bought plain or Italian breadcrumbs will both work. I always like to use these because of their fine texture that blends into meatballs perfectly.
- Use any type of milk for the meatballs.
- To enhance the flavor of the beef meatballs, add a touch of garlic powder and onion powder.
- Change up the pasta shape depending on what you have in the pantry; any short pasta will work well.
Julia's Tip
If you have minimal prep time, you can use store-bought meatballs instead of fresh homemade meatballs; fresh or frozen meatballs are both good options.
If you do opt for store-bought, warm the meatballs in the sauce while the pasta cooks, then follow the recipe instructions.
What To Serve With Meatball Casserole
- Green Goddess Tik Tok Salad
- Buttery Lemon Garlic Green Beans
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Baked Apples for dessert!
- Simple Cucumber Salad - is always a hit!
Storing Leftovers
Fridge:
- Meatballs: Allow meatballs to come to room temperature and then store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Baked Meatball Casserole: Refrigerate uneaten portions in an airtight container or cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Freezer:
- Meatballs: Flash freeze the meatballs and store them in the freezer in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Baked Ziti Casserole: Leftover meatball casserole will also keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Make ahead:
- Meatballs: You can easily make the meatballs a few days ahead of time and then assemble this casserole.
- Baked Ziti with Meatballs: The casserole can be assembled and stored in the fridge, unbaked for 24 hours, or baked for up to 3 days.
For best texture, I recommend reheating casserole in the oven.
Don't Miss These Beef Recipes
Before You Head Out
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Recipe Card
Baked Meatball Casserole (Baked Ziti)
Ingredients
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork and ground beef.
- Stir breadcrumbs into meat and then pour milk on top. Let the milk absorb into the meat and breadcrumbs while you get the onions ready.
- Stir onion, egg yolk, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat and breadcrumb mixture.
- Combine the ingredients well without overworking.
- Using a large cookie scoop or tablespoon, shape the mixture into balls and place them on a baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil or lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs at 425°F for 20 minutes.
- Combine drained pasta and 14 of the juicy meatballs in a large mixing bowl. Cover with marinara sauce and stir until both the pasta and tender meatballs are completely covered in sauce.
- Transfer the meatball and pasta mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish and spread Greek yogurt over the top, stirring slightly to incorporate it. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the casserole.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce bubbles.
- Garnish with fresh basil and a few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
- Fridge. Meatballs: Allow meatballs to come to room temperature and then store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Baked Ziti Casserole: Refrigerate uneaten portions in an airtight container or cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Freezer. Meatballs: Flash freeze the meatballs and store them in the freezer in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Baked Ziti Casserole: Leftover meatball casserole will also keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Make ahead. Meatballs: You can easily make the meatballs a few days ahead of time and then assemble this casserole.
- Baked Ziti with Meatballs: The casserole can be assembled and stored in the fridge, unbaked for 24 hours, or baked for up to 3 days.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Looking for more hearty Italian dinners? Try Chicken Parmesan.
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
Though similar in nature and taste, baked ziti and lasagna are not the same. Lasagna is layered with sauce, pasta, and cheese while baked ziti the pasta and sauce are mixed together.
Whether baked ziti has ricotta is a personal preference. This recipe does not contain any ricotta cheese.
For all recipes, hop on to our Dinner collection.
This recipe was adapted from She's Not Cookin'.
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Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Enjoy an easy and delicious baked meatball casserole!