Description
Hearty dump and bake meatball casserole brings Italian comfort to dinner tables with minimal preparation. Simple ingredients create a satisfying meal packed with flavor and convenience for busy home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound frozen meatballs
- 16 ounces (1 pound) uncooked pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Liquid:
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly coating with cooking spray, ensuring even coverage.
- Layer uncooked pasta across the bottom of the dish, creating an even base for the casserole.
- Distribute frozen meatballs uniformly over the pasta layer, spacing them to allow even cooking.
- Pour marinara sauce directly over the meatballs and pasta, ensuring complete coverage.
- Add water around the edges of the dish to help pasta cook and prevent drying.
- Gently mix ingredients with a spatula to distribute sauce and water evenly without disturbing pasta placement.
- Seal the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and steam.
- Place in a preheated oven at 425F (220C) and bake for 35-40 minutes, creating a sealed cooking environment.
- Midway through cooking, carefully remove foil and stir contents to prevent sticking and ensure uniform heating.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses across the top of the casserole, covering entire surface.
- Return to oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly crust.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes, helping sauce thicken and flavors meld.
Notes
- Choose a hearty marinara sauce with robust flavors to enhance the overall taste of the casserole.
- Use quick-cooking pasta like rotini or penne to ensure even cooking with frozen meatballs.
- Opt for low-sodium marinara and pre-cooked meatballs to control salt content and reduce cooking time.
- Customize the dish by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano before the final cheese layer for extra aromatic depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg