This easy meatball casserole without tomato sauce is made with store-bought homestyle meatballs. The meatballs are baked with egg noodles in a delicious creamy and garlicky mushroom and spinach sauce. A white cheddar cheese topping adds a nice sharp contrast to the creamy sauce.

Sauce ingredients:
The sauce for this casserole is basically a delicious homemade cream of mushroom soup with extra flavor from fresh spinach.

Remaining casserole ingredients:
Note that you'll need bite-sized (½-ounce each) frozen homestyle meatballs for this recipe.

How to make the sauce:
See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!

- Saute minced onion until starting to soften.

- Add mushrooms and cook until most of the liquid is released.

- Stir in garlic, thyme, pepper and flour.

- Stir in chicken broth and cream. Reduce until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add spinach and stir just until starting to wilt.
How to make the casserole:
See full ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below!

- Cook the noodles.

- Heat the meatballs.

- Mix noodles, meatballs and sauce together, then transfer into an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish.

- Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is fully melted.
Full Recipe

Meatball Casserole without Tomato Sauce
Ingredients:
Equipment:
Method:
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cook noodles according to package instructions. While the noodles are cooking, make the sauce.*3 cups medium-width egg noodles (uncooked)
- Heat the oil in a pan until shimmering.1 tablespoon mild olive oil
- Add onion and cook until starting to soften (about 2 minutes).¼ cup minced yellow or white onion
- Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of their liquid is released (about 5 minutes).6 ounces cremini or white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps quartered
- Stir in garlic, thyme and pepper, then stir in the flour.2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed through a garlic press, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Pour in broth and cream, then bring to a full boil. Cook, stirring continuously, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon (12 to 15 minutes). Turn the heat off, add the raw spinach and stir a few times just until starting to wilt. Set aside.2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups spinach leaves
- Heat frozen meatballs in the microwave according to package instructions.16 fully cooked frozen homestyle meatballs (½ ounce each)
- Stir cooked noodles, meatballs and sauce together. Transfer to a baking dish and top evenly with cheese.2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
- Bake until the cheese is fully melted (10 to 15 minutes). Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves (optional). Serve hot with garlic bread and green salad.
Recipe notes:
Nutrition (estimate only):
More great comfort food recipes without tomato:
- For another delicious no tomato creamy casserole also check out this broccoli cauliflower ground beef casserole.
- This sausage and broccoli soup has incredible flavor and takes only 25 minutes to make.
- For meaty and delicious pasta dishes, check out this no tomato ground beef pasta sauce or this chicken chorizo mushroom pasta.
LauraJane says
My thyme was shot so I added condensed portobello mushroom soup, some anchovie paste, and a little white wine to boost the flavor.
Sooo yummy!
Nicole B. says
I'm thrilled to hear that, LauraJane! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!