This Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole has only a handful of ingredients, takes 5 minutes to prep, and results in a delicious, comforting, cheesy Italian casserole that your entire family will love.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
👩🏻🍳 Recipe Name: Easy Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole
⏱️ Ready In: 50 minutes
🧑🧑🧒 Serves: 8
🍴Calories: ~446 (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Frozen Meatballs, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Cheese, Spices
🎯 Difficulty: Very Easy
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Some nights I swear the clock speeds up the moment I walk in the door - suddenly it's 7:00, the kids are asking 'what's for dinner?' and I have zero energy. If you've ever stared into the fridge like it might magically tell you what to cook, this dump-and-bake meatball casserole is your new best friend.
I often turn to casserole recipes for something quick and easy (this Creamy Seafood Tetrazzini, Lazy Lasagna, Instant Pot Lasagna Soup, simple Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, Cajun Shrimp Pasta, and these 5 Easy Ways to Make Frozen Ravioli are all in rotation), but this dump-and-bake casserole takes first place for its easy prep. With minimal preparation and simple ingredients, this mouthwatering Italian-inspired meal is always something that takes the pressure off making dinner and leaves me with a dish I know my whole family will devour.
In This Post
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy and convenient. This dump-and-bake meatball casserole is the epitome of an easy dinner. It's such an easy casserole recipe for busy weeknights when you don't have much time to spare. You simply combine all the ingredients in a casserole dish (this literally takes 5 minutes), pop it in the oven, and let it do its magic.
- Minimal prep. With simple ingredients like pasta, meatballs, and pasta sauce, there's no need for extensive preparation. It's an easy casserole recipe that takes almost no effort, but results in a comforting, delicious meal. (See also this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli And Rice Casserole made in the crockpot!)
- Delicious family favorite. My family LOVES this dinner recipe. Think sticky, cheesy strands that pull apart with every forkful and a sauce that soaks right into the pasta and meatballs, infusing them with flavor. Everyone always wants seconds with this one.
- Versatile. You can easily customize this casserole with different types of pasta, meatball varieties, sauces, or added veggies to suit your taste.
Key Ingredients
Before we start cooking, let's gather all the necessary ingredients for this easy meatball casserole:
- A package of pasta. You can use whatever type of short pasta you have on hand - bowtie pasta, rotini, ziti, or penne pasta would all work. While you could probably even use spaghetti, a short pasta will work better with this recipe and be easier to stir and combine with the other ingredients.
- Jarred pasta or marinara sauce plus water. Since there are so few ingredients in this dish, the ingredients you use really matter. Be sure to use a really flavorful sauce for this meatball casserole recipe - a good-tasting pasta sauce will really elevate the taste. You can use a store-bought sauce and elevate it with this spaghetti sauce seasoning, or make your own pasta! This easy pink pasta sauce would be a great choice.
- Frozen meatballs. You can buy frozen, precooked meatballs from the grocery store (I got mine from Costco), or you could use meatballs that you've made yourself. Just be sure to thaw them in advance (I typically transfer them from the freezer to the fridge the night before I'm going to make this casserole.)
- Spices. I added just a little bit of crushed red pepper here for some extra heat and flavor, but this is totally optional.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese. You'll be mixing half the cheese into the pasta once it's mostly done cooking, and you'll add a sprinkle of cheese to the top of the casserole for a nice cheesy topping.
- Toppings. Again, this is optional, but I like adding a bit of fresh parsley and shredded parmesan Cheese to the top of the casserole before serving.
As you can see, these are simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. This recipe is all about simplicity and ease.
Variations and Substitutions
The beauty of this meatball casserole is its adaptability. You can really get creative with it! Here are some variations and substitutions you can try:
- Vary the meatballs: For a lighter option, use turkey meatballs instead of beef. Try pork meatballs, chicken, or even lamb for a richer flavor. Or, if you're looking to make this vegetarian, choose a vegetarian meatball recipe.
- Different pasta shapes: Feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or even bowtie pasta. They all work beautifully.
- Sauce swap. Experiment with different types of sauces for this dish. A classic marinara or spaghetti sauce works great, but think about the meat (or meat substitute) you're using and change it up.
- Add some spices. Add some Italian seasoning or other spices for some good flavor.
- Add some veggies. I know this recipe is all about ease, so maybe adding in more ingredients isn't in the cards, and that's ok. BUT, if you did want to add a bit more nutrients to the dish, adding in things like chopped onion, some spinach, red peppers, or even zucchini could be an option.
How to Make A Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
This meatball dump casserole is such an easy recipe, and has just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Combine ingredients. In a large baking dish, add the uncooked pasta, water, pasta sauce, meatballs, salt, and red pepper (if you want a little kick). Mix everything well to combine all the flavors. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 425 degrees F.
Step 2: Check and stir. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and give the casserole a good stir. If your pasta is al dente (soft, but still sort of firm), you're good to go. If not, cover it again and bake for an additional 10 minutes. (Note the size of pasta you use can impact the time it will take for the noodles to cook. The bigger the pasta noodles, the longer it may take them to soak up the sauce and become al dente. Just use your best judgment and check on it as you go.)
Step 3: Add the shredded cheese. Once the pasta is cooked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven and stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Make sure it's evenly distributed. Sprinkle the remaining cup of cheese over the top.
Return to oven: Place the casserole back in the oven and bake for an
Step 4: Rest and serve: Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes to set. Serve it up with a sprinkle of parsley and a dusting of Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Dump & Bake Meatball Casserole FAQs
Yes, fresh meatballs can be used. Just make sure they're fully cooked before adding them to the casserole.
Yes! To make the dump-and-bake meatball casserole in the slow cooker, add everything but the cheese to the crockpot. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the pasta is tender, then add the cheese and cook for an additional hour.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to 3 months with one caveat. If you thawed the cooked meatballs in the refrigerator specifically to make this dish, it's safe to freeze the finished casserole. Let the casserole cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container before freezing.
However, if the meatballs had already been sitting in your refrigerator for several days before baking, it's best not to refreeze.
Yes! This casserole reheats well. Simply heat the oven to 400 degrees and reheat for 30 minutes, covered, or until the sauce is bubbling.
Here's a trick I like to use to make this even simpler on a weeknight. Because this recipe is so simple to prepare, you can add the jar of marinara sauce, water, noodles, spices, and meatballs to a casserole dish first thing in the morning, cover it, and pop it in the fridge. Then, when you're ready to cook it at night, your meatballs should be fully thawed, and your casserole will be ready to put right into the oven.
What To Serve With This Meatball Casserole
The beauty of this meatball casserole recipe is that it takes minimal prep time, it all comes together in one dish, and serves as a great main course (or only course!) for dinner. But you can add to this to make it a complete meal - a simple side salad (I love this Pear, Arugula And Goat Cheese Salad or this Chopped Mediterranean Cucumber Salad) and some crusty Rosemary Parmesan Bread would complement this casserole beautifully.
More Easy Casseroles
This meatball pasta casserole is such an easy, delicious weeknight dinner. With its minimal prep and simple ingredients, it's my go-to for whipping up a comforting Italian-inspired meal without the hassle.
If you try this Quick And Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole, let me know what you think! Be honest - did you add extra cheese? A splash of hot sauce? I need to know your twists in the comments below! And don't forget to tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on Instagram - I love to see your creations!
Recipe
Quick And Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz uncooked pasta choose a short variety, like ziti, bowtie, or rotini pasta
- 3 cups water
- 24 oz jar of pasta sauce
- 14 oz frozen, precooked meatballs (thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using)
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- parsley optional, for serving
- shredded Parmesan cheese optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Add the uncooked pasta, water, jar of sauce, meatballs, salt and red pepper to a large 9x13 inch baking dish and mix well to combine. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the aluminum foil and give the dish a good stir. Check the pasta to make sure it's cooked al dente (soft, but still sort of firm). If not, cover again and bake for 5-10 minutes more.
- Remove the casserole dish from the oven and add 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir well to combine, and using the remaining cheese, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Allow the casserole to sit for 5 minutes prior to serving. Top with parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Choose the best tasting pasta sauce you can find for the best flavor.
- Thaw meatballs before making.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
- Add in veggies or spices for some added nutrition.
Maria G says
Super good and yes, perfect for back to school days! The kids love it.
Maris says
Made this recipe with rotini pasta with your homemade pink sauce (which was so delish). It turned out great! The dish was cheesy, flavorful, and super easy to make. I also added some red bell peppers for extra crunch.