Description
This Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole is an easy, hands-off dinner with no pre-cooking required! Just toss everything into a baking dish, pop it in the oven, and let it do the work for you. Perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 oz) box uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water (or broth for extra flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 (16 oz) bag frozen meatballs (about 20 meatballs)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2️⃣ Dump Everything in a Baking Dish:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine pasta, marinara sauce, water, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir to mix everything together.
3️⃣ Add Meatballs:
- Arrange frozen meatballs evenly over the pasta mixture. No need to thaw them!
4️⃣ Cover & Bake:
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
5️⃣ Finish Baking:
- Remove foil, stir everything, and sprinkle mozzarella & Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6️⃣ Garnish & Serve:
- Let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad!
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta, such as penne, rotini, or ziti. Just make sure the pasta is uncooked!
- Feel free to add other toppings like red pepper flakes or extra herbs.
- For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta or turkey meatballs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of the casserole
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 41g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg