Super Simple " Eye"talian Meatball Casserole

"I felt like carbs for dinner but also wanted something more than just plain spaghetti. I also needed something quick to put out for dinner as dinner was in an hour. Working parents all know this feeling."
 
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photo by gailanng photo by gailanng
photo by gailanng
photo by Jody L. photo by Jody L.
photo by ncmysteryshopper photo by ncmysteryshopper
Ready In:
40mins
Ingredients:
15
Serves:
8
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ingredients

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directions

  • 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.

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Reviews

  1. Very good casserole which we enjoyed! Used meatballs which were in the freezer and followed the directions as written, skipping the tomato paste (out of). I also used diced tomatoes and a different type of pasta (penne). Enjoyed by the whole family! Thanks for sharing!
     
  2. Followed exactly as written, didn't use jalape?os, used gluten free quinoa noodles. Used Jenny o turkey meatballs for a quick and easy supper. Turned out great, both kids (3 & 14 mo.) like it. Will make again.
     
  3. If gravity's going to have its way with me anyway, I may as well be happy. My portion...half the casserole. Made for A-NZ #36 Recipe Swap.
     
  4. I made this tonight and it was okay. The raw onion was a caution because my SO doesn't like raw onion, but he never mentioned it. I used Vidalia so I'm sure he really didn't know. To get it to bubble, I cooked it for 45 mins. @ 350, then kicked it up to 400 for another 15 minutes. It was okay as I mentioned before, but not sensational. I might make it again, I don't know yet.
     
  5. Saw the yummy photo in Aus/NZ 336 -- and had to make-do with pantry stock ! Had a large jar of tomato sauce, no crushed -- so used 14 oz can diced tomatoes. No ziti -- used piccolini. Crushed 6-8 fresh garlic cloves, and prepared in 2 9" casseroles. I put sauce on the bottom, then pasta, more sauce, meatballs, and topped with sauce and cheese. LOVELY flavor -- but a tad dry. I have some homemade marinara in the freezer, so will thaw and mix with the "eating" one for leftovers , and re-do the second with more sauce in a larger casserole, and freeze. Yum, Connie -- for SIX meals, for DH and me !!
     
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Tweaks

  1. This was very good and easy to make. I didn't have crushed tomatoes so I used spaghetti sauce in place of the tomatoes and tomatoe sauce. I also used italian seasoning instead of basil and oregano. My children really enjoyed this. I made this before going to work and left it in the fridge. Hubby put it in the oven when he got home. Yummy!
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

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