Description
Hearty dump and bake meatball casserole delivers comfort on a plate with minimal kitchen effort. Simple ingredients combine for a delicious family meal that satisfies with rich flavors and easy preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini pasta, uncooked
- 14 ounces (397 grams) cocktail-size meatballs, fully cooked
- 24–25 ounces (680–709 grams) marinara sauce
Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese for garnish
Liquid and Garnish:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) water
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425°F, preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish for a quick and easy meal preparation.
- Pour uncooked pasta directly into the baking dish, adding marinara sauce and water, then gently nestle frozen meatballs throughout the mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt across the surface to enhance the overall flavor profile of the casserole.
- Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that will help cook the pasta and meatballs evenly.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the liquid and become tender.
- Carefully remove the foil and stir the contents, checking the pasta’s texture to ensure it has reached the desired al dente consistency.
- If the pasta needs additional cooking time, return the dish to the oven for a few more minutes.
- Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, watching the cheese melt and become golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly.
Notes
- Swap frozen meatballs with homemade or plant-based alternatives for personalized flavor and dietary needs.
- Control sodium by using low-sodium marinara sauce and reducing added salt.
- Ensure pasta cooks evenly by stirring halfway through baking and checking liquid absorption.
- Customize with additional vegetables like spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg