Air Fryer Meatball Casserole
A quick, high-protein, cheesy meatball casserole made in the air fryer. It’s low effort, family-friendly, and easy to adapt for low-carb or Weight Watchers style eating.
Servings
4 servings
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: ~380
- Protein: ~32g
- Carbs: ~10g
- Fat: ~22g
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground chicken/turkey)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons almond flour or breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Casserole Base
- 1 cup marinara sauce (low sugar preferred)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Equipment
- Air fryer (basket or oven-style)
- Small baking-safe dish that fits inside air fryer
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
Step 1 — Make Meatballs
In a bowl combine:
- ground meat
- egg
- Parmesan
- almond flour
- garlic
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
Mix gently until just combined.
Roll into 12–14 small meatballs.
Step 2 — Pre-Cook Meatballs in Air Fryer
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Place meatballs in basket in a single layer.
Cook 8–10 minutes, shaking halfway through, until lightly browned.
They do not need to be fully cooked yet.
Step 3 — Assemble Casserole
In a small air fryer-safe dish:
- add marinara sauce
- add bell peppers and mushrooms (if using)
- place browned meatballs into sauce
Step 4 — Add Cheese
Top with:
- mozzarella
- Parmesan
Step 5 — Air Fry
Place dish in air fryer.
Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 8–12 minutes until:
- cheese is melted and bubbly
- meatballs are fully cooked (165°F internal temp)
Step 6 — Rest & Serve
Let sit 5 minutes before serving so sauce thickens slightly.
Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- zucchini noodles
- cauliflower rice
- side salad
- low-carb garlic bread
Variations
Low-Carb/Keto Version
- skip breadcrumbs entirely
- use almond flour or crushed pork rinds
Cheesy Lasagna Style
Add:
- ricotta dollops before cheese topping
Spicy Arrabbiata
Add:
- red chili flakes
- spicy marinara sauce
BBQ Meatball Casserole
Replace marinara with:
- sugar-free BBQ sauce
Chicken Meatball Version
Use:
- ground chicken + extra Parmesan for moisture
Meal Prep Tips
- Meatballs can be pre-rolled and refrigerated 2 days ahead
- Cooked casserole keeps 3–4 days in fridge
- Reheat in air fryer for best texture
Weight Watchers Style Adjustments
To reduce calories/points:
- use extra-lean ground turkey
- reduce cheese to 1/2 cup
- use no-sugar marinara
- bulk up with vegetables (zucchini, peppers, spinach)
