Description
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole brings Italian comfort to dinner tables with minimal effort. Hearty frozen meatballs, pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese combine in one simple pan for a quick family-friendly meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound frozen meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
Carbohydrates:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara sauce
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a scorching 425°F, ensuring your baking vessel is primed with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Directly in the baking dish, tumble frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, and marinara sauce into a harmonious blend, complementing the mixture with water, Italian herbs, garlic and onion powders, and a whisper of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
- Thoroughly integrate all ingredients, creating a uniform layer that promises maximum flavor infusion during cooking.
- Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil, transforming the baking dish into a steamy flavor chamber for precisely 30 minutes.
- Carefully remove the foil and gently redistribute the ingredients, ensuring even cooking and preventing any pasta from sticking.
- Lavishly scatter mozzarella cheese across the surface, creating a molten blanket that will transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven, allowing the cheese to melt and develop rich, tantalizing golden edges for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Extract the casserole from the oven and permit a brief resting period, allowing flavors to settle and temperatures to moderate.
- Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Effortless weeknight dinner that transforms frozen meatballs and uncooked pasta into a deliciously cheesy one-dish marvel.
- Minimal prep time means you’ll have a hearty meal ready in under an hour, perfect for busy families craving comfort food.
- Customizable recipe allows quick swaps like gluten-free pasta, different cheese blends, or spicy marinara to match your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg