If you are craving a comforting, hearty meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, the Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This dish combines juicy frozen meatballs, tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese—all tossed together and baked to perfection in one simple casserole. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug after a long day and is perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners where everyone’s appetite is just waiting to be satisfied.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe plays a starring role in bringing bold flavors, textures, and heartiness to the table. The beauty lies in its simplicity—each component combines seamlessly for a fuss-free dish that tastes like it took hours to make.
- Frozen meatballs: Use beef, turkey, or chicken meatballs for convenience and protein-packed satisfaction.
- Uncooked pasta: Penne or rotini work perfectly, holding sauce and cheese beautifully.
- Marinara sauce: A rich jarred sauce adds savory depth and a touch of sweetness.
- Water or beef broth: Ensures the pasta cooks evenly right in the casserole.
- Italian seasoning: Brings a fragrant, herbaceous lift that ties all the flavors together.
- Garlic powder: Adds a mellow, inviting garlic essence without overpowering.
- Onion powder: Provides subtle sweetness and rounded flavor complexity.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): Give the dish a gentle, lively kick if you like a bit of heat.
- Salt and pepper: Just a pinch balances and enhances every element.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into a golden, gooey blanket that crowns the casserole.
- Fresh parsley (optional): Adds a pop of color and freshness when sprinkled on top before serving.
How to Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and make clean-up easier. This sets the stage for your casserole to bake beautifully.
Step 2: Combine All Ingredients in the Dish
Simply dump the frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, and your choice of water or beef broth right into the baking dish. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes if you want some heat, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Use a spoon to gently stir everything together until it’s well mixed—this is where all those fresh and pantry flavors start to mingle.
Step 3: Cook Covered to Perfection
Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30 minutes. This step allows the pasta to cook through and the meatballs to heat evenly while all the flavors get to know each other.
Step 4: Add Cheese for That Perfect Finish
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and give the casserole a good stir—it’s important to distribute the sauce and pasta evenly. Then sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese right over the top. This cheese layer will soon turn delightfully golden and gooey.
Step 5: Bake Uncovered Until Cheesy and Bubbling
Put the dish back in the oven, this time uncovered, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye out for the cheese to melt completely and bubble up. That beautiful, bubbly cheese crust is the hallmark of a truly delicious casserole.
Step 6: Let It Rest and Garnish
Once the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This brief pause helps everything set a little, making it easier to serve. For a fresh, vibrant touch, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top—it’s not just for looks but adds a subtle herbaceous burst.
How to Serve Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
While the casserole is already packed with flavor, fresh garnishes like chopped parsley or even a handful of freshly grated Parmesan can elevate the dish. A light drizzle of good-quality olive oil or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper can also add a lovely finishing touch to each serving.
Side Dishes
Serve this hearty casserole alongside a crisp green salad for contrast or some steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans to add fresh crunch and color to the plate. Garlic bread or warm crusty rolls also complement the meal perfectly, soaking up extra sauce and making it complete.
Creative Ways to Present
You can make this dish the centerpiece of your next family dinner by serving it family-style right from the casserole dish or spooning individual portions into shallow bowls for a cozier feel. For a bit of fun, top each serving with a sunny-side-up egg or a dollop of ricotta cheese to mix things up.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool the casserole completely before covering and refrigerating to keep the texture and flavor intact for your next meal.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well if you want to prepare it ahead of time. After cooking and cooling completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, place your portion in a microwave-safe dish and microwave in intervals until heated through, or warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes until piping hot. Adding a sprinkle of fresh mozzarella before reheating keeps things melty and delicious.
FAQs
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh meatballs work wonderfully, but you might want to precook them slightly before adding to ensure they’re fully cooked during baking. Frozen meatballs just make this recipe extra convenient without sacrificing taste.
What types of pasta work best in this casserole?
Short pasta shapes like penne or rotini are ideal because they hold onto the sauce and cheese well, but you can get creative—elbows, shells, or even small rigatoni work great too.
Is there a way to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the meatballs with vegetarian or plant-based meatballs available at many stores. Just ensure they are cooked according to package instructions before assembling the casserole.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance and bake it later?
Definitely. You can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly with foil, and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it an excellent dish for meal planning or entertaining.
How spicy is this recipe with the red pepper flakes?
The red pepper flakes add just a light, pleasant heat that enhances the flavor without overpowering. You can easily omit them or adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
Final Thoughts
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe is truly one of those dishes you’ll want to keep in your go-to recipe collection for simplicity, flavor, and comfort all rolled into one. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as cozy leftovers. Give it a try—you’ll love how easy it is to create a satisfying, homey meal that brings everyone back to the table with smiles.
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Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a comforting one-pan meal featuring frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, and marinara sauce baked together with a cheesy mozzarella topping. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a perfect dinner solution for busy nights, combining hearty flavors with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen meatballs (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (e.g., penne or rotini)
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Combine ingredients. In the prepared baking dish, add the frozen meatballs, uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water or beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well mixed and evenly distributed.
- Bake covered. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture, then bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook through and the meatballs to heat completely.
- Stir and add cheese. Carefully remove the foil and stir the casserole gently to redistribute ingredients. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Rest and garnish. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to allow it to set slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute water with beef broth for a richer flavor.
- Use turkey or chicken meatballs for a lighter option.
- Adjust seasoning and red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and confirm meatballs are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
