Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
A simple and comforting Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole that combines marinara sauce, pasta, frozen precooked meatballs, and mozzarella cheese for an easy one-dish meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole bakes everything together in one pan for a hearty Italian-inspired dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
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 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine sauce and water: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the marinara sauce, water, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. This will be the base cooking liquid for your pasta and meatballs.
- Layer the casserole: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread the uncooked pasta evenly. Pour the marinara sauce mixture over the pasta, ensuring the pasta is well covered. Arrange the frozen precooked meatballs evenly on top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are heated through.
- Add cheese topping: Remove the foil carefully and sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute marinara with your favorite pasta sauce or homemade sauce.
- For added flavor, consider mixing in some garlic powder or Italian seasoning with the sauce.
- Make sure to keep the casserole covered initially to allow the pasta to cook fully in the sauce and water mixture.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes according to your taste.
- This recipe works well with other types of pasta, but adjust cooking time if pasta shapes are significantly different.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.