Description
Mouthwatering Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole brings Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Hearty pasta, savory meatballs, and melted cheese combine in one simple dish that promises delicious satisfaction for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs, defrosted
Pasta:
- 1 box bowtie pasta
Sauce and Cheese:
- 1 jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 400F (200C), preparing for a comforting culinary journey.
- Select a spacious oven-safe vessel and gently combine thawed meatballs, rich marinara sauce, a splash of water, uncooked pasta, and aromatic Italian seasoning, ensuring all ingredients mingle harmoniously.
- Secure the pot with a tight-fitting lid, then slide into the preheated oven and allow the casserole to transform for 35 minutes, letting flavors intensify and pasta absorb the savory liquid.
- Remove the lid and generously blanket the surface with a luxurious layer of melty mozzarella and sharp Parmesan cheese, returning to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- After removing from the oven, grant the casserole a brief 10-minute rest, allowing the ingredients to settle and harmonize, creating the perfect temperature and texture for serving.
Notes
- Swap pasta types easily to match dietary needs or preferences, like gluten-free penne or whole wheat rotini for added nutrition.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium marinara sauce and choosing lean, homemade meatballs with less salt.
- Enhance vegetable intake by mixing in fresh spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers directly into the casserole for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Customize cheese selections with dairy-free alternatives like vegan mozzarella or nutritional yeast for lactose-intolerant or plant-based diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg