Go Back

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole: The Ultimate Weeknight Wonder

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb frozen meatballs – Frozen meatballs are a total time-saver and they work perfectly in this dish.
  • 12 oz uncooked pasta – Penne or ziti works great but any pasta you have on hand will do. Just make sure it’s uncooked!
  • 3 cups marinara sauce – You can use your favorite jarred sauce here. I love a good classic marinara, but you can experiment with different kinds if you prefer.
  • 2 cups water – This will help the pasta cook as it bakes and keeps everything from drying out.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – The melty cheese on top is the best part right?
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese – A little Parmesan adds that extra boost of flavor and makes everything extra cheesy.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder – For a touch of garlic goodness.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder – Adds depth of flavor without any chopping!
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – The classic blend of herbs that really pulls everything together.
  • Fresh basil chopped – For a pop of color and flavor right before serving. (Optional, but I highly recommend it!)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

  • Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the casserole bakes evenly and the cheese gets that perfect golden brown color.

Step 2: Mix It All Together

  • Grab a large baking dish (a 9x13 works great) and add the frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir it all together until everything is well mixed. It’s honestly that simple – no fancy techniques required!

Step 3: Cover and Bake

  • Once everything is combined, cover your baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps everything cook through and keeps the moisture in. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the meatballs are fully heated through.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

  • After the initial baking time, remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. It’s at this point that things start to get really exciting because that cheesy topping is about to melt into perfection.

Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly

  • Return the dish to the oven (uncovered this time) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. I always check to make sure the cheese is golden brown and crispy around the edges. That’s the sweet spot!

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

  • Once your casserole is out of the oven, sprinkle a little chopped fresh basil on top for a pop of color and flavor. It’s totally optional, but it gives the dish that extra touch of freshness that I love.