The Best Meatball Casserole

The Best Meatball Casserole is all you will need for dinner tonight.  It is loaded with creamy alfredo and pesto sauce, bursting with flavor, and deliciously cheesy in every bite.

The Best Meatball Casserole | The Food Cafe

The Best Meatball Casserole

Casseroles are one of the greatest meals to make.  They can have so many different things added to them and still taste sensational.  I love to make casseroles because most of the work is fairly simple and everything gets cooked together causing a major flavor infusion.  This Meatball Casserole is perfect for a weeknight meal and will fill you up with comfort from start to finish.

What is a casserole?

• A casserole is a fairly simple explanation.  It is food that is cooked and served in the same dish.  It’s that simple.

Can you cook frozen meatballs in the oven?

• Yes.  This recipe calls for frozen Italian style meatballs and you do not have to cook them prior to using them in the casserole.  This makes The Best Meatball Casserole even easier.
• Can you make your own meatballs?  Of course.  You can use whatever type you would like, I just use the frozen meatballs because the work is done for me, they taste great, and they don’t need any prep time.
• If you want to cook them ahead of time you may.  You can simply place them on a rimmed baking sheet and cook them for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

I love the addition of the orzo in this Meatball Casserole.  Cooking it in chicken stock really adds such great flavor and cooking the orzo just shy of the package directions will ensure your pasta will not get mushy and loose its texture.  This is a perfect weeknight casserole to fix and let everyone come help themselves.  Served with more freshly grated parmesan cheese added as it comes hot out of the oven, and a side of warm french bread, dinner is done.

How do you make Meatball Casserole?

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Pour the chicken stock into a sauce pan and cook orzo according to package directions, cutting the time by 2 minutes.
3. Pour the orzo into a large bowl (do not drain) and add the onions, sun dried tomatoes, frozen meatballs, spinach, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, minced garlic, and pepper to taste.
4. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and bake for 30-35 minutes.  Garnish with more parmesan and serve hot.

What is the difference between chicken both and chicken stock?

• Chicken stock tends to have a fuller flavor and tends to be a bit thicker than chicken broth.

Casseroles can sometimes be a mystery, but this Meatball Casserole is a perfect way to take the mystery out and the delicious flavor in.  Your family will love all the creamy goodness and you will love how easy it was to make.  So when you are looking for your next weeknight meal, try The Best Meatball Casserole and bring the taste to the table.

Looking for more casserole recipes?

• Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Creamy Parmesan Chicken Ritz Casserole

The Best Meatball Casserole

Yield: 6 servings

Total Time: 45 mintues

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutues

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4- cups chicken stock
• 1- 16oz package orzo, cooked
• 1- cup diced onions
• 1- 16oz jar sun dried tomatoes, cut in half
• 1-bag frozen Italian style meatballs
• 1-6oz bag baby spinach
• 1-16oz container refrigerated alfredo sauce
• 1-7oz container refrigerated pesto
• 1-teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2-cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
• pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat a 9.5 x 9.5 inch or 9 x 13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan add chicken stock and cook orzo according to package directions except cook it 2 minutes less than what the package states.
3. Add orzo (do not drain) to a large bowl.  Add onions, sun dried tomatoes, meatballs, spinach, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, mined garlic and pepper.  Mix to combine well and pour into prepared baking dish.
4. Top with fresh grated parmesan and bake for 30-35 minutes, garnish with more cheese if desired.

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