Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole 🍝🧀
An easy, hearty one-dish dinner—just dump everything into the baking dish, cover, bake, and finish with plenty of melted cheese!
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) frozen fully cooked meatballs
12 oz (340 g) penne or rotini pasta, uncooked
3 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Add the uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper directly to the dish.
Stir gently until the pasta is coated and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake for 35 minutes.
Remove the foil and stir carefully, making sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
Return to the oven uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the pasta is tender, the meatballs are heated through, and the cheese is melted and golden.
Let rest for 5–10 minutes, then garnish with parsley.
🍽️ Serving
Serve hot with garlic bread, a simple green salad, or steamed vegetables.
