Super Simple Eyetalian Meatball Casserole Recipe Genius Kitchen

SUPER SIMPLE " EYE"TALIAN MEATBALL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• If meatballs are frozen, thaw in microwave to just warmed.
• Put tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes tomato paste, chopped onion, jalapeno pepper, 1/4 cup water, 8 oz of cheese, and seasonings in a 9 x 13 casserole dish and blend together.
• In the meantime, boil water and make noodles to al dente.
• Drain noodles, add to casserole dish and blend in, making sure sauce covers all the noodles.
• Add meatballs and gently blend in cheese.
• Sprinkle 4 oz of cheese on top, covering casserole dish.
• Put in oven at 350°F for 30 minutes.
• Check for burning of cheese (may cover with aluminum foil gently to prevent some burning or browning of cheese).
• Cooking is to warm through and through and to melt cheese. If your oven cooks hot or altitude is high, adjust time in oven.
• Options:.
• I have also made this in a smaller casserole dish and microwaved for a faster dinner in less than 20 minutes.
• May substitute cheese flavors such as Fiesta blend, Taco blend to give another flavor.
• Measurements are not exact on spices as I eyeball them, cheese is a few handfuls in the dish and 1 handful on top.
• My meatballs are Italian sausage meatballs but can be turkey, ground beef or a mixture of any kind.
• NOTE: prep does not include boiling water.

CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
• Stir in the pasta sauce, meatballs, and tomato sauce. Transfer to a 9"x13" baking dish.
• Bake, covered, in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile in a bowl, combine the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.
• Uncover pasta, mix, and spoon cheese mixture in mounds over pasta. Cover loosely and bake about 10 minutes more or until heated through.
• Top with mozarrella cheese and bake uncovered 5 minutes longer.