Dump and bake meatball casserole recipe

Story By: Philipina Badu

This super easy dump and bake meatball casserole made with frozen meatballs and prepared marinara sauce comes together in minutes and then just needs to bake in the oven. Perfect family staple on weeknights.

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 12 ounces dry rotini pasta
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (14-ounce) bag frozen meatballs, thawed
  • 1 cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or basil (optional)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

    Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole recipe ingredients on a marble surface
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
  2. Combine pasta, water, marinara sauce, meatballs, peppers, and salt in a 9×13-inch baking dish.

    Uncooked meatball casserole with pasta, sauce, and bell peppers in a glass baking dish being stirred with a spatula
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
  3. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until pasta is al dente, 30 to 35 minutes.

    Baked meatball casserole with pasta and sauce resting on a cooling rack, partially covered with foil
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
  4. Remove the foil and stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

    Cheese and grated Parmesan sprinkled on top of the baked meatball casserole before final baking
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
  5. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10 minutes more.

    Fully baked meatball casserole with melted cheese and golden brown top in a glass dish on a cooling rack
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
  6. Serve garnished with fresh herbs, if desired.

    Baked meatball casserole garnished with fresh herbs, resting on a cooling rack next to a cutting board with chopped herbs
    Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly / Prop Styling: Sue Mitchell
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