Meatball and Cheese Bake: A Comforting, Cheesy Delight

NGREDIENTS: A DELICIOUS COMBINATION OF MEAT AND CHEESE

Here’s what you’ll need to make this meatball and cheese bake:

• Ground Beef: 1 lb of lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork for flavorful meatballs.
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs to help bind the meatballs.
• Egg: 1 large egg to hold the meatballs together.
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves of minced garlic for flavor in the meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for a salty, nutty flavor in the meatballs.
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning for a classic herb flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning the meatballs.
• Marinara Sauce: 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for that delicious melty topping.
• Fresh Basil or Parsley: For garnish.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS: HOW TO MAKE MEATBALL AND CHEESE BAKE

1. Set the Oven’s Temperature to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the meatballs:
3. Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper should all be combined in a large mixing basin. Don’t overwork the mixture; just mix everything until it’s properly mixed.
4. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs with your hands, then arrange them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
5. Make the meatballs in the oven:
   The meatballs should be cooked through and gently browned after 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated oven.
6. Make the Marinara and Cheese: Cover the bottom of a baking dish with about 1 cup of marinara sauce while the meatballs are baking.
7. Put the cheese and meatballs together. Bake: Put the cooked meatballs in the baking dish with the marinara sauce on top. Make sure the meatballs are uniformly covered by pouring the leftover marinara sauce over them. Top the meatballs with a liberal amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Put the dish back in the oven and bake it for a further 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbling, and beginning to turn golden around the edges.
9. After taking the dish out of the oven, allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving and garnishing. Before serving, garnish with parsley or fresh basil. Have fun!

CHANGES AND ADVICE

1. Add spaghetti: You may either add cooked spaghetti into the sauce before baking, or serve this recipe over pasta for a full dinner.
   Add some spice: To give the marinara sauce a little spiciness, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
2. Utilize Various Meats: The meatballs may be made using ground beef, pig, or even turkey.
3. Go Ahead: The meal may be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until baking time. If baking from cold, just extend the baking time by 5 to 10 minutes.
4. SERVING ADVICE
   Even while this meatball and cheese bake tastes great by itself, try these suggestions to make it even better:

   Garlic Bread: To mop up all the excess sauce, serve with a side of garlic bread.
   Side Salad: The heavy, cheesy bake is well contrasted with a simple green salad dressed with a zesty vinaigrette.
   Pasta: For a heartier supper, serve with spaghetti, penne, or your preferred pasta.
   FINALLY, A CHEESY AND COMFORTABLE MEAL
   Rich marinara sauce, gooey melted cheese, and flavorful meatballs make up the ideal combo in this meatball and cheese bake. It’s simple to prepare, full of taste, and guaranteed to please the entire family. This meal is the epitome of comfort food, whether you eat it by itself or with pasta and garlic bread!

   Have fun!