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Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 123 reviews
  • Author: Touba
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a simple, comforting one-pan meal that combines rotini pasta, flavorful marinara sauce, and fully cooked mini meatballs, all baked together until bubbly and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this casserole requires minimal prep and delivers hearty, cheesy satisfaction in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 (24 or 25 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 3 cups water

Protein and Cheese

  • 1 (14 ounce) package fully-cooked miniature (cocktail-size) meatballs
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend cheese

Optional Garnishes

  • Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh chopped herbs such as basil, oregano, or parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature while you prepare the casserole.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a large 9×13 inch baking dish, evenly layer the uncooked rotini pasta. Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce over the pasta, followed by 3 cups of water. Do not stir; the ingredients should remain layered.
  3. Add Meatballs: Distribute the fully cooked mini meatballs evenly over the top of the sauce and pasta mixture.
  4. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the pasta to cook fully by absorbing the sauce and water, and the meatballs to heat through.
  5. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese evenly on top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Optional: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley over the top before serving to add bright flavor and a beautiful presentation.

Notes

  • You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or ziti if preferred.
  • Use beef, turkey, or plant-based meatballs according to dietary needs.
  • To save time, prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate; just add extra 5-10 minutes to baking time if baking cold.
  • This casserole freezes well; bake directly from frozen but increase cooking time by about 20 minutes, covered.

Keywords: meatball casserole, easy dinner, one-pan recipe, baked pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner

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Find it online: https://toubaeasts.com/dump-and-bake-meatball-pasta-casserole-recipe/