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    Home » Beef

    Cheesy Baked Meatball Skillet

    Published: Nov 11, 2016 / Updated: Feb 2, 2020 / 11 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Hello cheesy baked meatball skillet of your dreams! Tender and flavorful meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese make this skillet recipe a winner.

    cheesy baked meatballs in a cast iron skillet

    What we have here is unapologetic calorie-laden comfort food, and there's nothing wrong with that. I was just getting over a cold on the weekend that I made this. I wanted something warm, comforting, TASTY, and I didn't care if it was healthy or not.

    I really like making meatballs (get a life?), so I had fun making this. I also enjoyed peeking in the oven window and watching the cheese melt. My Saturday night, folks. That's ok, though.

    cheesy baked meatball skillet with serving spoon

    If you don't own an oven-proof skillet, don't fret. You can still make this.

    You'll just need to transfer everything into a deep baking dish once you've made the sauce and do a few more dishes.  It's worth it.

    close-up of cheesy skillet meatballs with serving spoon

    You can serve the meatballs and sauce with the pasta of your choice, crusty bread (or garlic bread!), or do as I did and just devour the meatballs and sauce by themselves (I did it over a few days if you were wondering). 😉

    Cheesy baked meatball skillet - yay or nay?

    More meaty recipes you'll love:

    • Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
    • Creamy Taco Soup
    • Easy Beef Bowls
    • Easy Hamburger Soup

    close-up of meatballs in a rich tomato sauce with melted cheese in a skillet

    If you like meatballs, you'll love my recipe for sausage meatballs in a roasted tomato sauce too. 🙂

    Cheesy skillet meatballs can be yours with this recipe:

    Hello cheesy baked meatball skillet of your dreams! Tender and flavorful meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese make this skillet recipe a winner.

    Cheesy Baked Meatball Skillet

    Tender and flavorful meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese make this skillet recipe a winner.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 55 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Meatballs:

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 pound lean ground pork
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 egg
    • 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (I used Italian flavor)
    • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Sauce:

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (remove leaves)
    • 8 leaves fresh basil torn
    • 1 (13.5 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
    • 1 (13.5 fluid ounce) can tomato sauce
    • Pinch Italian seasoning
    • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    To top skillet:

    • 1 cup grated mozzarella
    • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Grate the parmesan cheese (grate the two cups needed, and divide it in half). Grate the mozzarella if you didn't buy an already shredded variety.
    • Preheat oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with tin foil.
    • Prepare the meatballs by adding all the meatball ingredients to a large bowl and gently mixing it with your hands and forming it into 2" meatballs. I made 18 meatballs. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake them for 20 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, make the sauce in a deep, oven-proof skillet. Chop the onion and then sauté it in the oil for about 5 minutes on medium-high heat. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and simmer for another 5 minutes.
    • Take the meatballs out of the oven and add them to the skillet in an even layer. Place the skillet in the oven for 20 minutes to ensure the meatballs are cooked through and that the sauce thickens a bit more.
    • Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses over top. Place it back in the oven for another 10 minutes. If desired, broil for an additional few minutes to brown the cheese.
    • Serve immediately with pasta, bread, a salad, or devour the meatballs by themselves.

    Notes

    • Can be made without an oven-proof skillet. Just transfer meatballs and sauce to a large, deep baking dish after step 4.
    • This is my trusty skillet (pictured). It's 2" deep. Make sure your skillet is deep so it doesn't overflow in the oven.
    • Serves 4-6.
    Keyword cheesy baked meatballs, skillet baked meatballs
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Chicken Salad Rolls with Miso Tarragon Dipping Sauce
    Brunch Egg Sandwich »

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    1. BBruning says

      November 3, 2019 at 6:42 AM

      5 stars
      Delicious!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 3, 2019 at 1:56 PM

        Awesome!

        Reply
    2. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

      November 14, 2016 at 7:50 AM

      Yes to cheesy meatballs and the fact that they are baked in a skillet? Even better! Pure comfort food right there. And I don't blame ya for looking through that oven window watching the cheese melt.....sounds like something I'd do too 😉

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 14, 2016 at 8:18 AM

        Thanks, Dawn!! Great minds, lol ????

        Reply
    3. Resep Memasak says

      November 12, 2016 at 1:39 PM

      wow, this good recipes

      Reply
    4. Natasha's Sister says

      November 11, 2016 at 12:01 PM

      Stop making meat recipes and make me vegetables.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 11, 2016 at 3:36 PM

        No.

        Reply
    5. Cathy | whatshouldimakefor.com says

      November 11, 2016 at 6:51 AM

      You've outdone yourself here Natasha! These photos are incredible. I want to dig right in a grab one of those cheesy meatballs right off the screen!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        November 11, 2016 at 8:18 AM

        Aw thanks Cathy!! ????

        Reply
      • Darrell says

        November 25, 2016 at 12:55 PM

        Making this tonight for sure mmm mmm looking very GOOD????????

        Reply
        • Natasha says

          November 25, 2016 at 1:43 PM

          Enjoy! 🙂

          Reply

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    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

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