Description
Hearty dump and bake meatball casserole delivers comforting Italian-inspired flavors without complex preparation. Quick weeknight dinner combines tender pasta, savory meatballs, and melted cheese you’ll devour eagerly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb frozen meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 jar (24 oz/680 g) marinara sauce
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Crank the oven to a blazing 425°F and lightly mist the baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adherence.
- Ingredient Assembly: Combine frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, Italian herbs, garlic and onion powders, and red pepper flakes directly in the baking dish, ensuring a thorough and even distribution of ingredients.
- Initial Baking: Cover the dish completely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, creating a sealed environment that allows flavors to meld and pasta to cook evenly.
- Cheese Topping: Remove the foil, gently stir the mixture to prevent sticking, then generously blanket the surface with mozzarella cheese, returning to the oven uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest briefly, allowing flavors to settle. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbal aroma before serving hot.
Notes
- Precise Oven Prep: Heat exactly to 425°F and spray baking dish to prevent stubborn food sticking.
- Strategic Liquid Ratio: Add water carefully to ensure pasta cooks perfectly without becoming dry or soggy.
- Foil Technique: Cover completely during initial cooking to trap moisture and create intense flavor infusion.
- Cheese Melting Mastery: Watch carefully during final 10-15 minutes to achieve golden, bubbly cheese topping without burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg