Discover an effortless dinner solution with our Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole recipe! Just layer ingredients, bake and enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that’s not just delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Welcome to the world of Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole – your ultimate solution for those busy weeknights when you crave something hearty, cheesy, and utterly comforting.
In this recipe, you’ll find tender pasta, juicy meatballs, and rich marinara sauce, all smothered in gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, baked to golden-brown perfection. This casserole is a complete meal that’s sure to be a big hit with the whole family!
I’m telling you my friends – a simple, scrumptious Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. It’s perfect for those nights when you want a hearty meal without the hustle and bustle of life getting in the way.
It just goes to show how, with just a few simple ingredients and a single layer in your casserole dish, you can create the ultimate comfort food.
So, next time you’re in a dinner bind, remember this easy meatball casserole recipe and let your oven do the rest of the work!
Common Questions About Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Can I Use Different Types of Pasta?
Certainly! This casserole is perfect for experimenting with different types of pasta. While uncooked rotini pasta was my go-to, feel free to swap it with a box of bowtie pasta, penne pasta, or any other shape you have on hand.
Each pasta type can add a unique texture and charm to your casserole, making it a fun and flexible dish for pasta dinner recipes.
Just remember to check the baking time, as different kinds of pasta may require slight adjustments in cooking duration to reach that perfect al dente texture.
Do I Have to Use Frozen Meatballs?
Not at all! While frozen meatballs offer convenience and are a time-saver, especially for dump meals like this, you have the flexibility to use different types of meatballs.
Feel free to make your own homemade meatballs or use turkey meatballs for a healthier twist. If you’re using a different oz size meatball package from the recipe, just adjust the quantity as needed.
Is It Possible to Prep This Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes, prepping this casserole ahead of time is a great way to manage your kitchen workload, especially on busy days. You can assemble all the ingredients, including the uncooked pasta, jar of marinara sauce, water, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese, in your casserole dish.
Store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to add a bit more baking time when you take it straight from the fridge to the oven, as the starting temperature of the ingredients will be lower.
Storage
You’ll want to save the printable recipe card down below for future reference. I just know you’re going to love this one!
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips
If you’re at all familiar with cooking pasta, this easy recipe will be a breeze to prepare. Here are just a few tips to help you along.
- Choose a Good Tasting Pasta Sauce: A flavorful sauce is key to a delicious casserole.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so keep it al dente.
- Cover Tightly with Foil: This helps to cook the pasta evenly.
- Let it Rest: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing.
- Use a Large Baking Dish: Ensure there’s enough space for all the ingredients to spread out evenly.
Ingredients
You can see by looking at these ingredients why this is a family favorite. The meat balls, especially, are something the kids always scrounge for!
- Rotini pasta
- Marinara sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Water or beef broth
- Frozen fully cooked meatballs
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
How to Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
I love it when I can just toss everything into a pan and then bake it. This recipe does that for me and also delivers on flavor. Big win!
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the rotini pasta, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water or beef broth, frozen meatballs, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the prepared baking dish. Mix everything until the pasta and meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check to see if the pasta is tender and the meatballs are heated through. Gently stir the pasta and meatballs. Replace the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes if needed.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
Personally, I like using my stoneware pan for this casserole but you can use a Pyrex glass pan for this recipe too. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like it cooks more evenly that way.
- 9×13 Casserole Dish
- Aluminum Foil
- Mixing Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Oven
What to Serve With Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
This delicious meal goes really well with some kind of crusty bread. My kids can’t do a pasta meal without the bread!
- A crisp green salad with Italian dressing.
- Crusty garlic bread for dipping.
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
Why You Should Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
This easy dump-and-bake casserole is a great way to save time and effort on a busy weeknight. Heaven knows we all have enough of those!
- Effortless Cooking: Minimal prep with a delicious outcome.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by kids and adults alike.
- Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Just as tasty the next day.
Variations and Add-Ins for Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Let me know how this recipe goes in the comments. If you have any great variations, I’d love to hear about them!
- Add Veggies: Mix in bell peppers or mushrooms for added nutrition.
- Switch the Cheese: Try different cheeses like Gruyere or cheddar for a new flavor.
- Spicy Version: Add a bit of chili powder or cayenne for a kick.
- Protein-Packed: Incorporate cooked chicken or sausage for extra protein.
If you love this easy casserole recipe, you’re going to love these other casseroles too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Recipes Using Meatballs
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs
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Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta 1 pound
- 26 oz marinara sauce 1 jar – 24-26 ounces
- 16 oz diced tomatoes 1 can – 14-16 oz
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 32 oz meatballs frozen fully cooked, 1 bag – 28-32 oz
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the rotini pasta, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, water or beef broth, frozen meatballs, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the prepared baking dish. Mix everything until the pasta and meatballs are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Check to see if the pasta is tender and the meatballs are heated through. Gently stir the pasta and meatballs. Replace the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes if needed.
- Once the pasta is cooked, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Beth says
This is my new favorite weeknight meal! It’s so easy to make, and it’s delicious. You cannot beat that combination. We loved it.
Melissa says
This was so delicious love how easy it was to make. Great family meal!
Sandra says
This is definitely a life saver! So delicious and very easy to make! I love it!
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert says
So delish! Can’t wait to make this again for dinner!
Catalina says
Your Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole was a weeknight lifesaver! So hearty and comforting, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to prepare.
April says
Loved this! It was so easy and tasted great!
Tisha says
This is the perfect family dinner casserole!