Italian Christmas Casserole

**Recipe Title: ** Italian Christmas Casserole

**Brief Description: ** This Italian-inspired Christmas casserole is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for holiday gatherings. Layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, savory meatballs, and gooey cheese come together to create a festive and comforting meal.

**Servings: ** 7-8 people

**Prep Time: ** 20 minutes

**Cook Time: ** 40 minutes

**Ingredients: **

- 1 pound pasta (such as rigatoni or penne)

- 1 pound ground beef

- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

- 1 egg

- 1 teaspoon dried oregano

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

- Fresh basil leaves for garnish

**Instructions: **

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

4. Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter.

5. Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5 minutes.

6. In a large casserole dish, spread a layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.

7. Arrange half of the cooked pasta over the sauce.

8. Place the browned meatballs on top of the pasta layer.

9. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.

10. Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the cheese.

11. Add another layer of pasta, followed by the remaining meatballs.

12. Pour the rest of the marinara sauce over the meatballs.

13. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.

14. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

15. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

**Special Tips/Variations: **

- You can add sautéed bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the casserole for extra flavor and texture.

- For a festive touch, sprinkle some red pepper flakes or chopped fresh parsley on top before serving.

- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just increase the baking time slightly if baking from cold.