Meatball Casserole With Healthy Turkey Sausage Wellplated Com

Whenever the air grows crisp and the days become short, I begin to crave some solid comfort food (like Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs) to cope with what’s truly the end of what any reasonable person (a.k.a. anyone who doesn’t live in the upper Midwest) would consider nice weather. Meatball casserole is the epitome of stealthy healthy comfort food (same with these Lentil Meatballs).

Zesty homemade meatballs made with a blend of Italian turkey sausage and ground turkey are lean, yet juicy.A package of thawed frozen spinach is nearly imperceptible and adds nutrition.Whole wheat pasta adds heartiness and whole grain goodness in every bite.Melty mozzarella cheese oozes and stretches with every forkful.

How to Make Meatball Casserole

Meatball casserole is food for the soul. This rich, hearty, and healthy meatball bake will transport you to your own personal little slice of Italy with its aroma of rich tomatoes, tender sausage, and melted cheese.

The Ingredients

Whole Wheat Pasta. Requires no more work to cook than regular pasta but offers far greater health benefits in the protein, fiber, and nutrient departments.

Ground Turkey. Lean and packed with protein, you’ll never guess that these turkey meatballs are not made with beef (nor are these Baked Turkey Meatballs).

Italian Turkey Sausage. Adds flavor, moisture, and extra fat to keep these meatballs moist and succulent. (These Cranberry Turkey Meatballs are another turkey meatball moisture marvel.)

Whole Wheat Bread. Binds the meatballs and acts as a second hidden source of whole grains.Egg. More binding + moisture. Parmesan Cheese. Adds a salty, nutty component to the meatballs.Spinach. A pack of frozen, thawed spinach with its mild taste is nearly imperceptible in the final dish.

Mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella cheese is both stirred into the noodles AND layered on top in thick, heavenly slices.Onion + Garlic. For a little zip and zing.Prepared Red Pasta Sauce. My no-shame shortcut in this meatball casserole bake that saves both time and hassle.Oregano + Parsley. For a blast of Italian herby freshness in both the meatballs and the sauce.Red Pepper Flakes. For a touch of heat. Feel free to adjust the amount (more or less) to suit your taste preferences.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Leftover meatball casserole can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.To Freeze. Freeze meatball casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.To Reheat. Warm gently in the microwave, with extra tomato sauce to prevent the casserole from drying out.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Skillet. Investing in a quality skillet is well worth the cost if you’re a regular in the kitchen.Mixing Bowls. A nested set of glass mixing bowls has endless uses and is compact for storing.Pasta Pot. Makes it easy to boil pasta to al dente and drain with ease. Plus, the 12-quart size is perfect for making extra family leftovers.

When making this dish, remember that meatballs are an expression of love. To make ahead, rather than assembling in a skillet, combine the pasta, sauce, meatballs, and cheese in a casserole dish. Cover, then refrigerate (or freeze) until you’re ready to bake. To serve, bake as directed until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.