Description
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a quick and easy one-dish meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With frozen meatballs, pasta, and a savory sauce baked together with gooey cheese, it’s a comforting and satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients
Frozen Meatballs:
1 pound frozen cooked meatballs
Marinara Sauce:
1 jar (24 ounces)
Pasta:
12 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Cheese:
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Liquid:
2 cups water or beef broth
Garnish:
Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the casserole: In the dish, combine uncooked penne pasta, marinara sauce, water or beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to evenly distribute.
- Add meatballs: Place frozen meatballs on top of the mixture, pressing slightly into the sauce.
- Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Add cheese: Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the casserole, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- You can swap penne for rigatoni or rotini pasta.
- For extra flavor, add sautéed onions or bell peppers before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 840 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
