Description
This One Pot Dump and Bake Meatball Recipe is a simple, hearty, and comforting meal that combines pasta, meatballs, and marinara sauce all cooked together in one dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires minimal prep and cleanup while delivering a deliciously cheesy and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 16 ounces uncooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1 (14-ounce) package frozen precooked meatballs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, pour in the water and marinara sauce. Add the crushed red pepper flakes if using, and stir to combine. Add the uncooked pasta, ensuring it is evenly distributed and submerged in the sauce and water mixture.
- Add Meatballs: Nestle the frozen precooked meatballs evenly among the pasta and sauce mixture without thawing them first.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake the Dish: Cover the pot with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for about 40 minutes until the pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Remove the lid or foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the dish cool slightly before sprinkling with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty one-pot meal.
Notes
- Using a glass lid or foil to cover the pot traps steam and helps cook the pasta evenly.
- Frozen precooked meatballs save time and work well in this recipe without thawing.
- You can substitute rotini or penne with any short pasta shape you prefer.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the dish’s spiciness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: one pot meal, meatballs, baked pasta, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese