Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is an effortless, comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for busy weeknights. It combines uncooked pasta, frozen precooked meatballs, marinara sauce, and seasonings baked together and topped with gooey mozzarella for a hearty, flavorful meal that requires minimal prep and cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 16 ounces uncooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1 (14-ounce) package frozen precooked meatballs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine liquid and sauce: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, pour in 3 cups water and add the entire jar of marinara sauce. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes if using for a touch of heat.
- Add pasta and meatballs: Evenly distribute the uncooked rotini or penne pasta into the baking dish. Then add the frozen precooked meatballs evenly throughout the dish, pressing them slightly below the surface so they cook evenly.
- Mix and cover: Using a spoon or spatula, gently stir the pasta, sauce, meatballs, and water together to combine slightly. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake the casserole: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes, until the pasta is tender and meatballs are heated through.
- Add cheese and bake uncovered: Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the casserole. Return uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Finish with cheese and garnish: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella evenly on top and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish servings with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Using frozen precooked meatballs eliminates the need for browning and saves time.
- Any shape of small pasta works well; rotini or penne hold sauce nicely.
- For a spicier casserole, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
- Make sure to cover the dish tightly during the initial baking to allow pasta to cook properly without drying.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: meatball casserole, dump and bake, easy Italian dinner, baked pasta, frozen meatballs recipe
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/dump-and-bake-meatball-casserole-recipe-2/