Description
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a simple and delicious one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender penne pasta, savory marinara sauce, fully cooked meatballs, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, this casserole comes together quickly by layering all ingredients in a baking dish and letting the oven do the work. The result is a comforting, hearty American classic that’s both freezer-friendly and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package uncooked penne or ziti pasta
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 (14–16-ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare the casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large 9×13-inch baking dish, mix together the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Add Meatballs: Place the frozen fully cooked meatballs on top of the pasta mixture, pressing them lightly into the sauce to ensure they are partially submerged.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and bake for 35 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook in the sauce and the meatballs to heat through.
- Stir and Add Cheese: Carefully remove the foil, stir the pasta gently to distribute the sauce and meatballs evenly, then sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the pasta is tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to set, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil if desired before serving.
Notes
- No need to thaw the meatballs; they will cook perfectly in the sauce during baking.
- Use any short pasta such as penne or ziti; avoid delicate pasta shapes like angel hair as they will become mushy.
- For extra flavor, consider mixing in sautéed onions or bell peppers before baking.
- This dish is freezer-friendly—assemble it ahead and freeze before baking for convenience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
