Description
A quick and simple recipe for baked meatballs cooked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 24 ounces frozen cooked meatballs
Sauce
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce (use your favorite brand)
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack in the middle slot to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Meatballs: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Place the frozen cooked meatballs in an even layer inside the dish. If you are using thawed meatballs, proceed directly to step 4.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the frozen meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to begin heating them through.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the casserole dish from the oven and pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs. Stir gently to combine and evenly coat the meatballs with sauce. Spread them out evenly, then sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce is hot and bubbly and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Optionally, broil the meatballs for a few minutes to brown the cheese if desired.
Notes
- Using frozen cooked meatballs saves time; if using thawed meatballs, bake only after adding sauce and cheese.
- The internal temperature of the meatballs should reach 160°F to ensure they are heated safely.
- You can customize the recipe by using your preferred marinara sauce or cheese type.
- This recipe yields about 8 servings.
