Loaded Mashed Potato and Meatball Casserole

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 175°C (350°F). Spray a baking sheet or line with parchment paper to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
2. Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Use a large ice cream scoop to portion the mixture into 12 even meatballs. Roll gently into balls.
3. Bake the Meatballs: Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: While the meatballs bake, boil the chopped potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, then mash with butter, milk, sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with nonstick spray. Use a large scoop to portion the mashed potatoes into 12 mounds in the dish. Make a small indentation in the center of each mound for the meatball. Place one meatball in each indentation.
6. Make the Marinara Sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in tomato sauce, basil, oregano, thyme, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.
7. Top Meatballs with Sauce and Cheese: Spoon marinara sauce over each meatball. Top each with a slice of mozzarella.
8. Bake the Casserole: Bake in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 10 minutes, until the cheese begins to melt.
9. Broil for a Golden Finish: Switch oven to broil (500°F / 260°C) and place casserole on the top rack. Broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
10. Serve: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve immediately.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 6–8
• Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Vegetarian: Replace meatballs with store-bought plant-based meatballs or roasted vegetables.
• Cheese Swap: Use Gruyère, Fontina, or provolone for a different cheese flavor.
• Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper to the meatballs or sauce for heat.
• Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole without cheese topping and refrigerate overnight. Add cheese and bake the next day.

Serving Suggestions