Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole – Looking for a quick. And easy dinner. That delivers big on flavor. With minimal effort? This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe. Is your answer. With just a few simple ingredients—uncooked pasta, savory meatballs, rich pasta sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. You can have a comforting, hearty meal on the table. In just 45 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights. When you need something fast. And satisfying.
The first time I made this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. It was one of those nights. When I needed dinner. On the table fast. But I didn’t want to sacrifice taste. I threw everything together. Popped it in the oven. And hoped for the best. When I pulled the dish out. The cheese was perfectly melted. And the aroma filled the kitchen. My husband couldn’t believe. How flavorful it was. And our child declared it. Their new favorite dinner. Now, it’s a regular in our meal rotation. Especially on those nights. When time is short. But appetites are big.
What makes this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole truly stands out?
This recipe stands out. For its simplicity. And convenience. With no need to pre-cook the pasta or meatballs. You simply “dump” everything into a baking dish. And let the oven do the work. The result is a perfectly cooked pasta dish. With tender meatballs. All smothered in a rich tomato sauce. And topped with melty mozzarella. It’s a one-dish wonder. That’s sure to please the whole family. Making it ideal for busy weeknights. Or when you’re hosting a casual dinner.
What You Need To Make This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe?
Rotini Pasta: The spirals of rotini hold onto the sauce. And cheese beautifully. Ensuring every bite is flavorful. Using uncooked pasta. Makes this dish incredibly easy. No need to boil water. Or dirty another pot!
Frozen Meatballs: Thawing the meatballs. Before adding them to the casserole. Ensures they cook evenly. And absorb all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Pasta Sauce: Choose your favorite jarred pasta sauce. Whether it’s marinara or tomato basil. Or something with a little spice. The sauce you pick. Will set the tone for the entire dish.
Mozzarella Cheese: The star of the topping. Mozzarella cheese melts into a gooey, golden layer. That makes this casserole irresistible. Don’t skimp on the cheese—it’s what ties the whole dish together.
Steps To Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole:
Step 1: Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 425°F. While the oven is heating. Prepare your baking dish. By spraying it with cooking spray. To prevent sticking.
Step 2: Assemble the Casserole: In the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the uncooked rotini pasta. Pour in the water and pasta sauce. Then add the thawed meatballs. And sprinkle with kosher salt. Stir everything gently to combine. Cover the dish tightly. With tin foil.
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Step 3: Bake the Casserole: Place the dish. In the preheated oven. And bake for 35 minutes. About halfway through the baking time. Carefully remove the dish from the oven. And give everything a good stir. To ensure the pasta cooks evenly.
Step 4: Add the Cheese: After the initial bake time. Remove the foil. And stir the pasta again. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly. Over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven. And bake uncovered. For an additional 5-8 minutes. Or until the cheese is fully melted. And bubbly.
Step 5: Serve: Once the cheese is melted. And the casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove it from the oven. For an extra touch. Garnish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese. Or chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your comforting, delicious meal!
Tip:
For the best results with this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. Make sure to stir the dish halfway through baking. This ensures that the pasta cooks evenly. And absorbs the sauce properly. Preventing any dry spots. Also, don’t skimp on the cheese. It’s what gives the casserole. That irresistible, gooey topping. If you want to add a little extra flavor. Try mixing some grated Parmesan into the mozzarella. Before sprinkling it on top. And for a crispy finish. Broil the casserole for the last couple of minutes. Until the cheese is golden. And bubbly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While rotini is great. For holding the sauce. You can use other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. Just be sure to keep the pasta uncooked. When assembling the casserole.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time. Cover it with foil. And store it in the fridge. Until you’re ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time. If it’s coming straight from the refrigerator.
What if I don’t have frozen meatballs?
If you don’t have frozen meatballs. You can use fresh or homemade meatballs. Just be sure they are fully cooked. Before adding them to the casserole. As the baking time won’t be enough. To cook them from raw.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box 16 ounces of uncooked rotini pasta
- 3 c of water
- 1 jar 24 ounces of pasta sauce
- 1 bag 14 ounces of frozen, precooked meatballs, thawed
- 1 tsp of kosher salt
- 2 c of shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish: Start by heating your oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish. With cooking spray. To prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Casserole: Place the uncooked rotini pasta. Into the prepared baking dish. Pour in the water. And pasta sauce. Then add the thawed meatballs. And sprinkle in the kosher salt. Gently mix all the ingredients together. To ensure even distribution. Cover the dish securely. With aluminum foil.
- Bake the Casserole: Transfer the baking dish. To the preheated oven. And bake for 35 minutes. About halfway through the baking time. Remove the dish. And give everything a good stir. To promote even cooking.
- Add the Cheese and Finish Baking: After the initial baking period. Take off the foil. And give the pasta another stir. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly. Over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven. And bake uncovered for an additional 5-8 minutes. Or until the cheese has melted. And is bubbly.
- Serve: Once the cheese is fully melted. Remove the casserole from the oven. For an extra touch of flavor. You can garnish with grated parmesan cheese. Or some freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
