The Easiest Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe Ever

Whipping up a delightful dump and bake meatball casserole couldn’t be easier for busy families craving comfort food.

Pasta, sauce, and frozen meatballs combine in one magical dish that saves precious evening minutes.

Convenience meets flavor in this simple culinary solution that feels like a home-cooked miracle.

Minimal prep work means you can toss ingredients into a baking dish and walk away.

Cheesy, hearty, and satisfying, this casserole delivers restaurant-quality taste without complicated techniques.

Hungry souls will absolutely love how quickly this meal comes together.

Trust me, you’ll want to make this recipe part of your weeknight dinner rotation.

Best Pairings with Meatball Casserole

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this hearty casserole as a complete meal with a side of crisp garden salad to balance the rich flavors.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this dish to gatherings in a portable carrier, keeping it warm and impressing friends with its easy, delicious appeal.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining casserole into lunch by tucking portions into warm Italian rolls for next-day meatball sandwiches that reheat perfectly.
• Quick Weeknight Comfort: Pair with garlic bread or steamed vegetables for a fast, satisfying meal that requires minimal additional preparation time.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?

Yes, but reduce water slightly and check pasta doneness earlier since fresh meatballs cook faster than frozen ones.

• Do I need to pre-cook the pasta?

No, the uncooked pasta will absorb the liquid and cook perfectly during baking, making this a true dump and bake recipe.

• What type of pasta works best?

Short pasta like penne, rotini, or ziti are ideal as they cook evenly and hold sauce well in this casserole.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and ensure your marinara sauce and meatballs are gluten-free certified.

What Makes This Meatball Casserole Simple

• Minimize Kitchen Chaos: Toss ingredients directly into the baking dish without pre-cooking pasta or browning meatballs, saving you precious time and reducing dirty dishes.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This hearty casserole delivers classic Italian flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
• One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process with a single dish that handles everything from mixing to baking, transforming weeknight meal preparation into a stress-free experience.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping marinara for different sauces, using alternative cheese blends, or adding extra seasonings to match your family's taste preferences.

Key Ingredients for Meatball Casserole

• Pasta: A hearty base that absorbs the flavors of the sauce and provides a satisfying texture.
• Frozen Meatballs: Convenient protein-packed morsels that add robust flavor to the casserole.
• Marinara Sauce: A classic tomato-based sauce that brings rich, tangy goodness to the dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty, savory cheeses that create a golden, gooey topping and enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that add depth, warmth, and balanced seasoning to the casserole.
• Water: Helps cook the pasta and create the right moisture level in the dish.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh garnish that adds a pop of color and herbal freshness.

How to Prepare Meatball Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Heat your oven to 400F (200C) and get ready for a delicious meal that practically cooks itself.

Step 2: Create The Flavor Base

• Uncooked pasta
• Frozen meatballs
• Marinara sauce
• Water
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until well mixed, creating a promise of deliciousness.

Step 3: Initial Baking

Cover the dish completely with foil and slide into the hot oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, allowing the pasta to become perfectly tender and absorb all the incredible flavors.

Step 4: Cheese Transformation

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, watching the cheese melt into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Serve hot and watch everyone dive in with excitement.

Tips for Meatball Casserole

• Opt for high-quality marinara sauce to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Swap frozen meatballs with homemade or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Ensure pasta is fully submerged in liquid to guarantee even cooking and prevent dryness.
• Add extra cheese on top for a golden, crispy cheese crust that elevates the casserole's texture.
• Experiment with different seasoning blends like basil or oregano to personalize the recipe's taste.

Flavor Twists for Meatball Casserole

• Vegetarian Meatball Swap: Replace frozen meatballs with plant-based meatballs or roasted chickpeas for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add red pepper flakes or swap marinara for arrabbiata sauce to increase heat level.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter meal.

Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty dump and bake meatball casserole combines convenience with comfort for busy families. Simple ingredients create a satisfying meal that brings pasta, meat, and cheese together in one delightful dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) frozen meatballs

Starches:

• 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Liquids and Sauces:

• 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce
• 2 cups water

Finishing Touches:

• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400F (200C) and prepare a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, water, and seasonings into the dish, thoroughly mixing all ingredients to ensure even distribution.
3. Tightly seal the dish with aluminum foil, creating a secure cover that traps moisture and helps cook the pasta evenly.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb liquid and become tender while the meatballs cook through.
5. Carefully remove foil and generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the casserole’s surface.
6. Return to oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, watching until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
7. Allow casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from oven to help set and stabilize the dish.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish and serve warm directly from the baking dish.

Notes

• Choose short pasta like penne or rotini for even cooking and better sauce absorption.
• Use pre-cooked frozen meatballs to simplify the recipe and reduce overall cooking time.
• Replace marinara with arrabbiata for a spicier kick or vodka sauce for a creamy twist.
• Substitute gluten-free pasta and use plant-based meatballs for vegetarian and gluten-sensitive diets.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg