Description
Hearty dump and bake meatball casserole delivers comfort straight from your kitchen to the dinner table. Cheesy pasta, savory meatballs, and simple preparation make you the hero of weeknight meals without stress or complicated steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs, defrosted
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 box bowtie pasta (16 ounces)
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 3 cups water
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Arrange oven rack to middle position and preheat to 400°F (200°C) for optimal cooking environment.
- Select a high-sided, oven-proof skillet or pot with sufficient depth for mixing ingredients.
- Combine frozen meatballs, marinara sauce, water, uncooked pasta, and Italian seasoning in the skillet, ensuring thorough and even distribution of ingredients.
- Secure the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to trap moisture and steam during baking.
- Place covered skillet in preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, allowing pasta to cook and meatballs to heat through.
- Carefully remove skillet from oven and discard covering.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Return uncovered skillet to oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
- Serve hot directly from the skillet, ensuring each portion receives meatballs, pasta, and melted cheese.
Notes
- Swap store-bought meatballs with homemade turkey or plant-based meatballs for a healthier, personalized twist on the classic recipe.
- Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the comforting, hearty flavors.
- Enhance the dish’s nutrition by adding diced vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers directly into the sauce before baking.
- For a spicier version, mix in red pepper flakes or drizzle hot sauce over the casserole after baking to give it an extra kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg