If you are craving a comforting dish that wraps up all the cozy flavors of home cooking, the Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe is an absolute must-try. This soul-satisfying casserole layers tender, juicy meatballs with rich, creamy mashed potatoes and a luscious blanket of melted cheese, creating a warm hug on your plate. It’s the perfect mix of textures and flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether it’s a family dinner or a casual gathering, this recipe shines in simplicity and heartiness, making it one of those go-to dishes you’ll want to keep in your rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward ingredients that carefully come together to build layers of flavor, texture, and color. Each element plays a crucial role, from the savory meatballs that offer protein and bite, to the creamy mashed potatoes that provide softness and comfort, all crowned with a golden cheesy topping that melts perfectly in your mouth.
- Ground beef (or ground turkey): The base for delicious, juicy meatballs packed with flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Keep meatballs tender while helping them hold their shape.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty depth to the meat mixture.
- Chopped parsley: Provides freshness and a pop of color to the meatballs.
- Large egg: Binds the meatball ingredients together perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Boosts the savory profile in both meatballs and potatoes.
- Salt and black pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance every bite.
- Olive oil: For browning the meatballs to golden perfection.
- Mashed potatoes: Creamy and seasoned, they offer that ultimate comforting layer.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty, it adds richness throughout the casserole.
- Mozzarella cheese: Gives a gooey, stretchy cheese pull that’s irresistible.
- Sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess to the mashed potatoes.
- Milk: To lighten the potatoes and create a smooth texture.
- Butter: Infuses the potato mixture with flavorful richness.
- Onion powder: Enhances the overall savory taste.
- Marinara sauce: A zesty, tomatoey finish that balances the richness.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A colorful, fresh garnish that brightens the dish.
How to Make Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Meatballs
Start by combining ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mixing everything thoroughly ensures your meatballs are flavorful and hold together beautifully. Shape the mixture into small, one-inch meatballs — the perfect bite size for layering. Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown the meatballs on all sides until cooked through. Browning adds that irresistible crust and locks in juices, so don’t rush through this part. Once cooked, set them aside while you prepare the next layers.
Step 2: Mix Your Creamy Mashed Potato Layer
In a large bowl, combine your prepared mashed potatoes with shredded cheddar, mozzarella, sour cream, milk, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This mixture brings a rich, creamy texture that contrasts wonderfully with the hearty meatballs. Stir everything until smooth and uniform — this will be the luscious base and top layer of your casserole.
Step 3: Assemble the Layers
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread half of the mashed potato mixture evenly across the bottom. Then, nestle the cooked meatballs in a single layer over the potatoes, making sure each bite will have some meaty goodness. Finally, cover the meatballs completely with the remaining mashed potato mixture. This layering technique locks in moisture and creates a stunning presentation once baked.
Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches and Bake
Drizzle the marinara sauce over the top of the casserole for a tangy counterpoint to the creamy potatoes and savory meatballs. If you’re a cheese lover, sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese over everything for a bubbly, golden crust. Pop the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is beautifully browned and bubbling with cheesy goodness.
How to Serve Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley isn’t just for looks — it adds a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness of the casserole. A sprinkle of chopped parsley right before serving is a simple way to brighten the dish with color and flavor.
Side Dishes
Serving this casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables balances the hearty flavors with some lightness and crunch. Roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans tossed with a little lemon juice and olive oil also make for excellent companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual portions in small ramekins for a charming presentation at dinner parties. You can also prepare this casserole in muffin tins for portable, single-serving bites great for potlucks or lunches on the go. Adding a swirl of marinara or a drizzle of pesto on top can add a delightful visual and flavor twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after sitting, making leftovers even tastier.
Freezing
The Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe freezes beautifully. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish, cover well, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil to prevent drying out, for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave single servings, but the oven method helps retain that fresh-out-of-the-oven texture.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works wonderfully in this recipe and offers a lighter alternative without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Can I make the mashed potatoes from scratch?
Yes, homemade mashed potatoes will elevate this casserole even more. Just make sure they’re creamy and well-seasoned to complement the meatballs and cheese.
What if I don’t have marinara sauce?
You can substitute with tomato sauce or even a mild salsa, depending on your taste preferences. The sauce adds acidity and moisture to the dish, so feel free to get creative.
Is it possible to make this casserole vegetarian?
For a vegetarian version, try using meatless meatballs or hearty vegetable patties and vegetable broth-based mashed potatoes. The cheeses and potatoes still provide plenty of comfort and flavor.
How spicy is the casserole?
This recipe is mild, making it great for all ages. You can add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture if you’d like to introduce a little kick.
Final Thoughts
There is something incredibly comforting about a homemade casserole that combines creamy potatoes, hearty meatballs, and melting cheese all baked into one dish. The Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe brings together familiar, loved flavors in a way that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and try it out — your family and friends will thank you with every bite!
Print
Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Potato Meatball Casserole featuring seasoned ground beef meatballs layered between creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect for a family dinner with rich flavors and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
Casserole
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared ahead of time, creamy and seasoned)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (or tomato sauce)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated to form a consistent mixture.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the meat mixture into small, approximately 1-inch diameter meatballs, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Cook Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until browned on all sides and fully cooked through. Remove meatballs from skillet and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Casserole Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, sour cream, milk, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and uniformly blended.
- Assemble Casserole – First Layer: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the cheesy mashed potato mixture evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- Add Meatballs: Arrange the cooked meatballs on top of the mashed potato layer, spacing them evenly.
- Assemble Casserole – Second Layer: Spread the remaining mashed potato mixture over the meatballs, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Drizzle marinara or tomato sauce evenly over the top layer. If desired, sprinkle additional shredded cheese over the sauce for extra cheesiness.
- Bake: Place the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove casserole from oven, garnish with fresh parsley if using, and serve hot for a delicious family meal.
Notes
- For creamier mashed potatoes, use a combination of butter and sour cream as indicated.
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs and keep them tender.
- Make sure the meatballs are fully cooked before layering in the casserole to ensure safety and proper texture.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated.
