Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves
Discovering a quick and delightful dump and bake meatball casserole recipe can revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine.
Pasta lovers will adore this hassle-free meal that combines convenience with incredible flavor.
Comfort food meets effortless cooking in this one-pan wonder.
Minimal prep means maximum enjoyment for busy households craving a satisfying meal.
Cheese, pasta, and savory meatballs create a magical combination that everyone will crave.
Simple ingredients come together in a way that feels like culinary magic.
I promise this dish will become your new go-to solution for easy, delicious dinners that spark smiles around the table.
Best Storage Tips for Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute frozen meatballs with homemade ones. Just ensure they’re fully thawed and pre-cooked before adding to the casserole.
No, the uncooked pasta will cook directly in the marinara sauce and water during baking, absorbing all the delicious flavors.
Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or ziti work perfectly. Avoid long noodles like spaghetti, which might not cook evenly.
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole That Comforts and Delights
Essential Ingredients for Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Main Ingredients:Seasoning Group:Cheese Group:Cooking Accessory:How to Make a Hearty Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Step 1: Prepare Oven For Deliciousness
Fire up your oven to a toasty 400F (200C), getting ready for a mouthwatering meal that requires minimal effort.
Step 2: Create One-Dish Magic
Grab a large casserole dish and toss in these flavor-packed ingredients:Step 3: Enhance With Seasoning
Sprinkle in some flavor boosters:Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 4: Cover And Bake Initially
Seal the dish tightly with aluminum foil, trapping all those incredible flavors inside.
Step 5: First Baking Round
Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven and let it work its magic for 35 minutes.
Step 6: Add Cheesy Goodness
Remove the foil and generously scatter:Step 7: Final Bake
Return the uncovered dish to the oven for 10-15 minutes, waiting for the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbly masterpiece.
Step 8: Serve And Enjoy
Allow the casserole to cool slightly, then dive into this effortless, crowd-pleasing meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Pro Tips to Make Your Meatball Casserole Shine
Flavor Variations for Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Serving Suggestions to Enjoy Your Meatball Casserole
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Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Mouthwatering dump and bake meatball casserole combines hearty pasta, savory meatballs, and melted cheese in one simple dish. Weeknight dinner heroes can quickly assemble this comforting meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor satisfaction.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) frozen meatballs
Pasta and Sauce:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400F (200C), preparing a spacious baking dish for a streamlined one-pan meal.
- Arrange frozen meatballs in the dish, spreading them evenly across the bottom.
- Pour uncooked pasta directly over the meatballs, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Drench the pasta and meatballs with marinara sauce, coating every surface thoroughly.
- Add water to help pasta cook and prevent sticking, mixing gently to incorporate all ingredients.
- Season the mixture with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, distributing flavors throughout the dish.
- Seal the dish completely with aluminum foil, trapping moisture and heat for even cooking.
- Bake for 35 minutes, allowing meatballs to thaw and pasta to become tender.
- Remove foil and generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface.
- Return to oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes, letting flavors meld and sauce settle before serving.
Notes
- Customize meatballs by using homemade or store-bought varieties to match dietary preferences like gluten-free, beef, turkey, or plant-based alternatives.
- Reduce sodium content by selecting low-sodium marinara sauce and seasoning moderately to control salt levels.
- Enhance nutrition by adding chopped vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers directly into the casserole for extra vitamins and fiber.
- Prepare ahead by assembling the casserole earlier in the day and refrigerating, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 405 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Amanda Bennett
Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing and Development, Culinary Instruction, Food Styling and Photography
Education
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Emphasized practical cooking skills, nutrition, and kitchen management.
Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Cambridge, MA
Certificate in Professional Pastry Arts
Specialized in baking techniques, dessert presentation, and flavor profiling
Amanda’s roots run deep in the Southern hills, where every meal started fresh from the garden and every dessert came with a story. She trained at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and sharpened her pastry skills at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, blending classic technique with everyday charm.
At The Liffey, Amanda’s passion is making baking and home cooking feel natural and joyful. She’s all about single recipes that are simple enough for a busy afternoon, but special enough to make someone’s day a little sweeter.