Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole: Easy Weeknight Meal!
This Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution, combining hearty meatballs, pasta, and cheese into one delicious dish. Effortlessly prepared, it offers big flavor with minimal fuss, making it perfect for busy evenings.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 50 minute
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12–16 ounces uncooked short pasta (penne, ziti, or rotini)
- Frozen pre-cooked beef meatballs
- 2 (24-ounce) jars marinara sauce
- 1 to 1.5 cups beef or vegetable broth
- Dried Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Shredded low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)
- Fresh spinach (optional)
- Diced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms (optional, sautéed beforehand)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a large 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In the baking dish, pour in the uncooked short pasta and evenly distribute the frozen meatballs over the pasta.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and broth, then sprinkle in the dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the foil, stir the casserole, and re-cover it. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the casserole. If using, add Parmesan cheese as well. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid for proper cooking. Use a generous amount of marinara sauce to keep the casserole moist. Customize with additional seasonings or vegetables as desired.