Description
Hearty meatball & mashed potato bake delivers comfort straight from Italian-American kitchens, blending savory meat with creamy potato layers. Cheesy, rich casserole promises a satisfying meal that welcomes you to indulge in pure home-style deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) meatballs, cooked
Starch:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) mashed potatoes
Sauce and Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) brown gravy
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
- Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Create a smooth, even foundation by spreading the prepared mashed potatoes across the entire bottom of the baking dish, forming a creamy base layer.
- Carefully distribute the pre-cooked meatballs across the potato surface, spacing them uniformly for consistent coverage.
- Drizzle the brown gravy methodically over the meatballs, ensuring each piece receives a generous coating.
- For added richness, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire casserole, creating a potential golden, melted topping.
- Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and a melted cheese surface.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and temperature to stabilize.
- Optionally garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and subtle herbaceous note.
- Serve immediately while hot, offering a comforting and hearty meal straight from the oven.
Notes
- Swap ground meats like beef, pork, or turkey to customize the protein base and suit different dietary preferences.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium gravy or homemade gravy with controlled salt content.
- Make this dish gluten-free by selecting gluten-free breadcrumbs for meatballs and using cornstarch-thickened gravy instead of traditional wheat-based versions.
- For lighter meal option, use lean ground meat, Greek yogurt in mashed potatoes, and low-fat cheese to cut down calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg