Description
Mouthwatering Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole brings Italian comfort straight to your dinner table with minimal prep time. Cheesy pasta, savory meatballs, and rich marinara sauce combine in one effortless dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 (16 ounces) bag frozen meatballs (about 20 meatballs)
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 (12 ounces) box uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 (24 ounces) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water (or broth for extra flavor)
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 400F (200C) with a rack in the center position.
- Select a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in uncooked pasta, creating an even layer across the bottom.
- Add marinara sauce, water, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning directly over the pasta, ensuring complete coverage.
- Gently mix ingredients until pasta is thoroughly coated with liquid and seasonings.
- Distribute frozen meatballs uniformly across the pasta mixture, keeping them in a single layer without thawing.
- Securely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap steam.
- Transfer to preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, allowing pasta to cook and meatballs to heat through.
- Carefully remove foil and stir the casserole, redistributing pasta and meatballs for even cooking.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the entire surface.
- Return uncovered dish to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and casserole to cool slightly.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for added brightness.
- Serve immediately alongside garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Notes
- Swap frozen meatballs with homemade or plant-based alternatives for personalized dietary needs.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini directly into the sauce for increased nutrition and flavor depth.
- Keep cooking time consistent even with ingredient substitutions by monitoring moisture levels and pasta tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg