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Delicious Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole for quick family dinners.

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

A cozy, saucy bake featuring frozen meatballs and dry pasta that cooks right in the oven, perfect for busy nights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole, Main Course
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 package Frozen meatballs (Italian style)
  • 12 ounces Dry pasta (short shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
  • 24 ounces Marinara sauce
  • 2 cups Water or broth
Seasonings
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
Toppings
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 handful Spinach Optional
  • 1 cup Sliced mushrooms Optional
  • 1 cup Diced bell pepper Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab a 9x13 baking dish and lightly grease it if you want easier cleanup.
  2. Add the dry pasta, frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, and water or broth directly into the dish. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Stir everything around until the pasta is mostly covered in liquid.
  4. Cover tightly with foil to trap steam, which will cook the pasta.
Baking
  1. Bake for about 35 minutes, then carefully remove the foil and stir. Check the pasta. If it feels firm and there's not much liquid left, add a small splash of water, cover again, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. When the pasta is tender, sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese over the top and add parmesan if desired.
  3. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melty and golden in spots. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

This casserole is hearty and pairs well with garlic bread, salads, or roasted veggies. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.