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Easy Turkey Meatball Casserole Recipe

Easy Turkey Meatball Casserole Recipe

Tender homemade turkey meatballs bake with marinara-coated short pasta and melted mozzarella for a cozy family dinner. The recipe serves 4–6 and is ready in about 55–60 minutes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Turkey Meatballs
  • 1 pound Lean ground turkey
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup Finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Casserole
  • 8 ounces Penne, ziti, or other short pasta
  • 24 ounces Marinara sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Shredded low-moisture mozzarella, divided
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
  • As needed Additional grated Parmesan for serving

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  2. Combine the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently just until the ingredients come together.
  3. Shape the mixture into approximately 20–24 meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches wide. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Bake the meatballs for 12–15 minutes, until lightly browned and nearly cooked through. Check that the center reaches 165°F.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted water until 1–2 minutes less than the package’s al dente time. Drain well.
  6. Toss the pasta with about 2 cups of marinara sauce, then spread it in the prepared baking dish.
  7. Arrange the meatballs over the pasta and spoon the remaining sauce around and over them.
  8. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the casserole and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the sauce bubbles, the meatballs are fully cooked, and the cheese melts.
  9. Broil for 1–2 minutes if you want a deeper golden cheese topping, watching closely. Rest the casserole for 5 minutes before serving and finish with parsley, basil, or Parmesan.

Notes

Mix the turkey gently to keep the meatballs tender. Slightly wet hands make shaping easier. Undercook the pasta because it continues cooking in the oven. Low-moisture mozzarella helps prevent excess liquid. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until hot throughout.