This Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is is ideal for hectic evenings! Family-friendly evening dinners don't get much better with just five basic ingredients! Just arrange the meatballs, cheese, pasta, and sauce in a dish. After that, let your oven handle everything. The outcomes are incredible!
This simple dump and bake meatball casserole is one of my kids' favorite spaghetti dinner recipes! It's always a kid favorite at the dinner table, the flavors are mild enough, and it takes less than five minutes to prepare. Not much more could be asked for.
You essentially "dump" this meatball casserole into a single baking dish, and the oven takes care of the rest. The preparation time is low and simple enough for anyone to complete thanks to the dried spaghetti, frozen meatballs, and jarred pasta sauce.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Basic ingredients. It makes use of basic items that you most likely already have on hand. For hectic weeknights when you don't have a dinner plan but still want something quick, satisfying, and healthful, this simple recipe is ideal. It's the ideal, incredibly easy weeknight supper!
- Easy Prep: There is no need to boil pasta or do any precooking for this one-dish marvel. Just mix everything together and let the oven do its magic! It's perfect for busy weeknights when you have a lot of things to do.
- Customizable: You can add more cheese, spicy meatballs, or your own vegetables. You can change this dish to suit your cravings indefinitely.
- Potluck Perfect: The dish keeps warm for a while and travels well. Make it for friends who are in need or for off-site events.
Main Ingredients
This recipe's use of basic, minimal ingredients is one of my favorites.
- Farfalle pasta. This recipe works well with uncooked penne or rotini. In casseroles, the short, robust shapes hold up well. The sauce will be properly captured by their ridges and curves.
- Marinara Sauce. I used a homemade pasta sauce. You may use any type of spaghetti sauce! Although there are many choices, such as garden vegetables, parmesan, roasted garlic, three cheese, etc., I usually stay with the traditional tomato and basil. Even leftover spaghetti or pasta sauce from a prior meal can be used.
- Frozen meatballs. Before making the dish, these must be fully thawed. The frozen meatballs are ready to eat by dinnertime if I put the bag in the refrigerator the night before or early the next day.
- Spices. For a little more taste, I added a small pinch of crushed red pepper, but it is completely optional.
- Mozzarella cheese. for a golden, elastic top layer and a creamy, melty texture. Additionally, mozzarella adds that traditional Italian taste.
- Parsley. Chopped fresh parsley.
How to Make A Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
- Set the oven's temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the meatballs, marinara sauce, water, uncooked pasta, salt, and crushed red pepper in a large baking dish. To make sure the pasta is coated evenly, give it a good stir.
- Bake the dish in the oven for half an hour after securely covering it with aluminum foil.
- Take off the foil and give the mixture a good swirl. Make sure the pasta is cooked through. Al dente, or soft but firm, is the ideal cooking temperature. Recover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes if necessary.
- Take out of the oven and carefully take off the aluminum foil. Cover the casserole with a layer of cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for a further 5 to 10 minutes, or until pasta is soft and cheese is melted.
- Before serving, let the dish rest for five minutes. If desired, top with chopped fresh parsley or parmesan cheese.
Make-Ahead and Freezing
Make-Ahead Instructions: This meatball casserole can be made up to a few hours in advance of baking, but I wouldn't do it any earlier because the noodles might get mushy and gritty after baking.
Instructions for Freezing: Get the casserole ready for baking. Freeze for up to three months after covering with a double layer of aluminum foil and plastic wrap. To bake from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake covered for 1 hour and 30 minutes and uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes.
Variations and Substitutions
This meatball casserole's versatility is its greatest asset. It allows us a great deal of creativity! You can try the following substitutions and variations:
- Change pasta. This recipe can be made with any type of pasta. Because it's so simple to serve, I adore short pasta, like penne. Orecchiette, fusilli, rigatoni, and farfalle are other excellent choices. Baby shells and other small items will overcook in the dish, so avoid using them.
- Different cheese. Change up the cheeses! While fontina, provolone, and asiago are also delicious substitutes, you can use just mozzarella.
- Include some vegetables. Add some broccoli with some sliced or diced onion, green pepper, and red pepper.
- Dried Seasonings: This meatball casserole dish is meant to be a simple, "dump and go" recipe that takes very little work on your part. Naturally, you can add as much spice as you like to this. Season with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and Italian seasoning. The simplicity of kosher salt appeals to me because it's kid-friendly and easy to prepare.
Storage
Any cooling leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to make this supper is when you can stir it halfway through. By stirring the casserole, all of the pasta will be incorporated into the water and will become softer as it cooks.
Indeed! Put everything in the crock pot except the cheese to prepare the dump and bake meatball casserole in the slow cooker. After 4 hours of cooking on low, or when the pasta is soft, add the cheese and continue cooking for another hour.
Of course, yes! This is the ideal way to use up any extra pasta sauce you may have. Three cups of spaghetti sauce are contained in a 24-ounce container.
If you tried this Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole (Quick And Easy!) or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole (Quick And Easy!)
INGREDIENTS
- 7 ounces uncooked pasta
- 14 ounce frozen meatballs
- 3 cups homemade marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set the oven's temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine the meatballs, marinara sauce, water, uncooked pasta, salt, and crushed red pepper in a large baking dish. To make sure the pasta is coated evenly, give it a good stir.
- Bake the dish in the oven for half an hour after securely covering it with aluminum foil.
- Take off the foil and give the mixture a good swirl. Make sure the pasta is cooked through. Al dente, or soft but firm, is the ideal cooking temperature. Recover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes if necessary.
- Take out of the oven and carefully take off the aluminum foil. Cover the casserole with a layer of cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for a further 5 to 10 minutes, or until pasta is soft and cheese is melted.
- Before serving, let the dish rest for five minutes. If desired, top with chopped fresh parsley or parmesan cheese.
NOTES
- Feel free to add more herbs and seasonings that you like for even more flavor.
- Frozen Meatballs: Thaw them by putting them in the refrigerator overnight or the morning of the day. Try thawing them in the microwave if you're pressed for time and forgot to put them in the refrigerator. Before putting them in the casserole dish, they must be fully thawed.
- To prevent uneven cooking, defrost or microwave frozen broccoli before adding it to the oven.
- Make sure your casserole is large enough to avoid packing it full.
Annabelle Sanders says
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! The idea of mixing everything and letting it bake sounds so simple yet satisfying. My kids are going to flip when they see this on the dinner table!
Natalie Hayes says
This is such a great way to simplify dinner! I’m definitely adding this recipe to my collection. Plus, I can see myself experimenting with different sauces and meatballs for fun variations!
Grace Lee says
The fact that this dish is so versatile makes it even better! I can't wait to try different pasta shapes and sauces next time I make it.
Laila James says
I appreciate how simple the ingredients are—definitely something I can whip up without a trip to the grocery store. Count me in!
Esme Bryant says
This looks absolutely delicious and so easy! I'm always looking for recipes that don’t take forever but taste amazing. Plus, who doesn’t love a cheesy pasta dish? Count me in!
Dakota Bradley says
Wow, this recipe ticks all the boxes—easy, tasty, and family-friendly! I can already imagine how delicious it’ll smell while cooking. Perfect for those busy nights when we need a little comfort food fix.
Faith Torres says
#MeatballCasseroleGoals! This will be such a hit at my house, especially with my kids—they’re obsessed with cheesy pasta dishes!
Josephine Bailey says
'Dump and bake' might just be my new favorite phrase! I appreciate any meal that saves time without sacrificing flavor. Can't wait to whip this up next week!
Amber Clark says
I feel you, sister! After a long day, spending hours in the kitchen is the last thing I want to do. This casserole seems perfect for those evenings when time is short but you still want something delicious!
Elizabeth James says
Yum, this recipe is right up my alley! I’m all about comfort food that’s quick to make. Plus, who doesn't love cheesy goodness? This will definitely be on my dinner rotation!
Alyssa Morgan says
I totally feel you on not wanting to spend forever in the kitchen after a long day. This meatball casserole is definitely going to be added to my weekly meal plan!
Darcy Ross says
Love how versatile this casserole is! It’s nice that you can switch things up with different pastas or sauces. Definitely going to put my own spin on it with some spicy meatballs!
Adeline Fisher says
This recipe seems perfect for those hectic weeknights when I'm racing against the clock. Can't wait to dig into all that cheesy goodness!
Mariah Hughes says
This casserole sounds like a lifesaver for busy nights! I love that it only takes five minutes to prepare—perfect for when I'm juggling work and family.
Jamie Morris says
This meatball casserole sounds like a lifesaver for those crazy weeknights! I love how easy it is to just dump everything in and let the oven do the magic. Can't wait to try it with some fresh veggies!
Jocelyn Coleman says
Comfort food at its finest! I can already imagine my family loving this cheesy goodness. Plus, who doesn't love easy clean-up?
Linda Rose says
Wow, only five minutes of prep? Sign me up! This recipe seems so forgiving too; you can easily swap out ingredients based on what you have at home. Can’t wait to give it a go this week!
Kennedy Cooper says
'Dump and bake' is my new favorite phrase! This casserole seems like a dream come true after hectic days filled with meetings and school runs. Can't wait to dig into some cheesy goodness!
Chelsea Stewart says
Yum! This meatball casserole is giving me all the cozy vibes. I'm definitely going to try this on one of those busy weeknights when I just want something easy and satisfying for dinner.
Lindsay Bailey says
This dish seems like such a crowd-pleaser! As a mom who's always juggling schedules, it's nice to have recipes like these that the whole family can enjoy together.
Daisy says
This looks easy enough to try on a busy night.
Grace says
I like how simple this recipe is.
Chloe says
Seems like a good option when I don't have much time.
Rachel says
I might give this a go for dinner sometime.
Rebecca says
Not too many ingredients, which is nice.
Rachel says
The cooking time seems quick, which is great.
Amy says
Looks like something my family would enjoy.
Isabella says
'Dump and bake' sounds really easy to do.
Helena Murphy says
I'm totally with you on the dinner struggle! Some nights, the last thing I want to do is cook. This meatball casserole seems like the perfect solution—comfort food without the stress!
_Elisa Warren_ says
'Quick meals are essential for us busy moms!' Your description has me drooling already—especially with all that cheesy goodness on top! Looking forward to making this soon.
Candace Nelson says
I really appreciate how adaptable this recipe is. It’s great that I can switch up the meatballs or pasta shapes based on what I have at home. Flexibility in cooking is always a win!
Hazel Green says
This casserole sounds like a lifesaver on those crazy weeknights! I love how easy it is to throw everything together and just let it bake while I catch my breath after a long day.
Addison Collins says
"Frozen meatballs? Count me in!" Sometimes convenience wins over fancy cooking techniques. Plus, anything with marinara sauce feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Grace Lee says
Seriously, who has time for elaborate dinners every night? I'm all for comfort food that's simple and satisfying. Can't wait to give this meatball casserole a try—it sounds heavenly!
Gemma Kelly says
OMG, this casserole sounds like a lifesaver! After a crazy day with the kids, I totally don’t have the energy to whip up a gourmet meal. The idea of just dumping everything in and letting it bake is my kind of cooking!
Alyssa Morgan says
The idea of just dumping everything in one dish is so appealing! Plus, who doesn’t love cheesy goodness? My kids are going to devour this for sure!
Edith Berry says
'Comfort food' is right! This reminds me of those cozy family dinners from my childhood. Plus, who doesn’t love cheese? That bubbly mozzarella on top sounds divine!
Phoebe Wilson says
Right?! Sometimes I just want something quick and easy that still tastes amazing. Meatball casserole is such a classic comfort food—definitely adding this to my weeknight meal rotation!
Brooke Myers says
This recipe sounds perfect for those hectic evenings! I’m all about dumping everything into one dish. And the fact that my kids will eat it? Total win in my book!
Jessica Perry says
This casserole sounds like a lifesaver! I love how you can just dump everything in and forget about it for a bit. Perfect for those nights when the kids have soccer practice and I barely have time to breathe!
Sara Ross says
'One dish' meals are the best! Less cleanup means more time spent with family after dinner. I'm totally sold on trying out different pasta shapes as well; variety is key in keeping everyone happy.
Dana Morris says
"Dump and bake" has become my favorite phrase lately! This casserole sounds like it checks all my boxes: quick, easy, and family-approved. Can't wait to give it a try!
Peyton Stewart says
This looks like such a comforting dish, perfect for chilly evenings! I’m all about quick meals that still taste amazing—definitely adding this to my rotation!
Ruby Lee says
"Comfort food" really sums this up perfectly! I’m all about those hearty meals that bring everyone together, and this meatball casserole seems like just the ticket.
Matilda Hayes says
(heart eyes) This is exactly what my dinner rotation needs! I love how adaptable it is; I'll probably throw in some spinach for extra nutrients.
Flora Martinez says
I can't believe how simple this recipe is! Sometimes, I just want to throw something together and not think too much about it. Can't wait to customize it with some veggies next time!
_Jocelyn Coleman_ says
_I can't get over how uncomplicated this looks! After soccer practice or parent-teacher conferences, I just want something comforting without the fuss. Adding this to my meal plan ASAP._
Daphne Martinez says
I totally relate to the struggle of cooking after a long day! This recipe is super appealing with its minimal prep time. Plus, who doesn’t love cheesy pasta goodness? Count me in!
Patricia Howard says
"Add some veggies? Yes please!" Love that there's room for creativity here—zucchini or spinach could be great additions for extra nutrition without sacrificing flavor.
Grace Lee says
I’m definitely gonna try this one! My family loves meatballs, but sometimes cooking feels like a chore. The simplicity of this dump-and-bake method is exactly what I need after long workdays!