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Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole

Teresa Ambra
This delicious casserole combines the best of Spaghetti and Meatballs but in casserole form layered with mozzarella cheese. This dish uses both gluten free bread crumbs and spaghetti noodles.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 15
Calories 344 kcal

Ingredients
  

MARINARA SAUCE:

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3/4 tsp. minced garlic from a jar or about 3-4 cloves fresh garlic minced
  • 1 Carrot peeled and diced
  • 1 rib celery diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 8 oz. fresh mushrooms sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1 tsp. fennel seed
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 2 28-oz. cans Muir Glen Organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes in puree
  • 3 tbsp. tomato paste

MEATBALLS:

  • 1 1/2 - 2 lbs. 93-96% lean ground beef (you can use a mixture of ground beef, pork and veal)
  • 1 large egg slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 cup 4C Italian style Gluten Free breadcrumbs
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic from a jar or about 5-6 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. Lawry’s seasoned salt
  • 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/3 cup milk (can use up to 1/2 cup milk)
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. dried basil
  • 1/4 cup Chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
  • 1 tsp. fennel seed
  • 1 tsp. thyme

CASSEROLE:

  • 16 oz. pkg. gluten free spaghetti noodles or regular spaghetti
  • 8 oz. mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp. melted butter (either salted or unsalted is okay)

Instructions
 

MARINARA SAUCE:

  • In a large Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat add olive oil and heat through.
  • Add onion and garlic and sauté about 3-5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  • Add carrots, celery, bell pepper and mushrooms and continue sautéing until veggies are tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.
  • Add meatballs; cover and simmer for about 40 minutes.
  • Remove bay leaves.
  • Check seasoning.
  • Add additional salt, pepper or seasonings, as desired. [br]

MEATBALLS:

  • Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Shape into small meatballs.
  • Drop the meatballs into simmering marinara sauce.
  • Cover with lid and do not stir for at least 20 minutes or the meatballs will break apart.
  • Continue cooking in the simmering sauce for another 20 minutes or until done.
  • If desired, you can cook the sauce a little longer to meld the flavors.

CASSEROLE:

  • Add spaghetti to boiling water and cook about 2-3 minutes at a rapid boil.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Allow noodles to sit in hot water about 5-7 minutes longer or until cooked through.
  • Drain.
  • Stir in 2 tbsp. melted butter.
  • Spoon Marinara Sauce with Meatballs over top of spaghetti.
  • Sprinkle cheese over top.
  • Grease a 10x15” glass baking dish.
  • Add buttered spaghetti and spread into prepared dish.
  • Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 10-15 minutes or until casserole is hot and bubbly and cheese has melted.

Notes

NOTE: You must use a 93% or 96% lean ground beef in this recipe or the meat will emit too much grease into the sauce.
NOTE: Rice noodles will disintegrate and fall apart if you cook them the same way you cook wheat noodles. Be careful not to overcook by allowing the noodles to rest in the hot water too long. Taste the noodles, if they’re not gummy and taste done, remove from hot water.
NOTE: Meatballs can be baked in a 350° oven approximately 30 minutes if desired. Cut marinara sauce cooking time down to 30 minutes.
NOTE: Ronzoni makes gluten free spaghetti using brown rice flour, rice flour, corn and quinoa. It is a much better product than just about anything else I've tried. Their thin spaghetti takes about 7 minutes to cook.
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
[nutrition-label]

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 21gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 691mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2100IUVitamin C: 32.2mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 2.5mg
Keyword beef, cheese, gluten free, main dish, meatballs, noodles, parmesan cheese, pasta, spaghetti
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