Description
Make dinner magic with this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole—a one-dish wonder that brings cheesy, saucy, pasta-packed comfort with minimal prep. This easy recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want a family-friendly, satisfying dinner on the table fast. Just layer everything in a pan, bake, and enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth meatballs over tender rotini with golden, bubbling cheese. It’s an ideal choice for easy dinners, comfort food lovers, meal prep fans, and anyone hunting for dinner ideas that taste like a hug. Works great as a weeknight quick meal or freezer-friendly option for hectic weeks.
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
24 oz frozen meatballs
4 cups marinara sauce
2 cups water or broth
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Combine uncooked rotini, marinara, water or broth, and Italian seasoning in the baking dish. Stir well.
3. Add frozen meatballs evenly over the mixture.
4. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
5. Remove foil, stir gently, top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
6. Return to oven uncovered and bake 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
7. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes.
Notes
Use high-quality marinara for the richest flavor.
Don’t skip the resting time—it helps the casserole set for perfect slicing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: dump and bake casserole, meatball pasta, easy dinner, cheesy pasta bake