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
Scale
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.
