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Chicken Meatball Casserole

Chicken Meatball Casserole: 7 Comforting Layers of Flavor


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  • Author: Anna
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Chicken Meatball Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender ground chicken meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, layered with fresh basil, provolone cheese, and toasted baguette slices. Perfect for a satisfying meal without the pasta.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (250 g) ground chicken
  • 1/4 cup grated onion
  • 1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated onion
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • Small handful of fresh basil leaves, coarsely torn
  • 5 slices baguette
  • Additional cloves of garlic for the bread (optional)
  • 45 slices provolone cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly coat a 9 x 11 inch shallow casserole or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, fresh basil, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined. Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about one inch in diameter.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides until they develop a golden crust, about 4-5 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the 1/2 cup grated onion and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes and coarsely torn basil leaves. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes to combine flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Arrange the browned meatballs evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are well coated. Place the slices of baguette on top of the sauce, covering the surface. If you like, rub the bread slices with additional garlic cloves for extra flavor.
  6. Layer the provolone cheese slices evenly over the bread. Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are cooked through.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful chicken meatball casserole warm.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs for best flavor.
  • Adjust seasoning to your taste.
  • Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 266
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 14 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg