If you're looking for a simple recipe for busy weeknights, you'll love this easy Meatball Pasta Casserole recipe! It is full of simple ingredients with the simplest prep - it's the perfect meal for your next family dinner.
And, if you are a meatball lover like me, try these Cheese Stuffed Mexican Meatballs and serve them as an entree with rice or an appetizer. We love them both ways!
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Easy recipes are my favorite to make for dinner, because I just need something that's EASY! I'm sure you are busy, just like me, with a hungry family. That's why this dump-and-bake meatball recipe is a tasty solution. (After all, what's better than delicious juicy tender meatballs in a new family favorite recipe?!)
The best part? It's ridiculously simple. Just toss a few ingredients in a pan, and boom - dinner's basically done. And here's a pro tip: use frozen meatballs, and don't cook the pasta.
I don't just make this for dinner; it's also my party and potluck casserole. And I make these Caprese Garlic Bread to go along with it.
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Not convinced you should make this casserole. Here's why you are going to love making this recipe and why your whole family is going to LOVE eating it.
- It's made with basic ingredients - with common ingredients such as store-bought meatballs, pasta sauce, uncooked pasta, and cheese- so a trip to the grocery may not even be needed!
- It's a one pot dinner- One pot means easy clean-up.
- No cooking pasta - you don't have to cook the pasta in this dish. Just dump it uncooked into the pan.
- Delicious - your family will love the flavors of gooey cheese, tasty spaghetti sauce and tender penne pasta, and the perfect blend of seasonings.
- Perfect for busy weeknights - the prep only takes minutes.
- Great for using leftover meatballs - Meatball casserole with frozen meatballs is my favorite recipe for when I have extra meatballs in the freezer that I need to use up.
Try our other dinner recipes, such as crock pot pork chops, cast iron skillet burgers, hamburger hashbrown casserole, and this one-pan ground beef and rice skillet. All of these recipes are simple comfort food meals.
Meatball Casserole Ingredients
- Uncooked pasta - I used rotini, but you can use any variation you'd like, such as ziti or penne pasta.
- Spaghetti sauce - Ideal thickness and flavor for this baked casserole, but marinara sauce can also be used.
- Milk - You'll need about 1 cup to make this dish creamy.
- Water - About 2 cups are used to cook the pasta.
- Meatballs - I used frozen Italian meatballs, but you can also use homemade or turkey meatballs.
- Seasoning - For flavor, you'll need garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt.
- Shredded Cheese - Shredded mozzarella cheese is sprinkled on top.
- Garnish - Optionally, you can add parmesan cheese and herbs for garnish. A sprinkle of fresh basil is a nice addition.
Equipment Needed
You are going to need a large baking dish. Just remember the pasta is going to expand once baked so use a dish that will hold everything. I use this 13 x 9 casserole dish, but any dish in this size will work.
How to Make Meatball Pasta Casserole
Step 1. Before you get started, heat the oven to 425F. Prep a baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2. In a 9 x 13 casserole dish, add the uncooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, milk, water, meatballs, and seasonings. Stir to combine. It's just an easy dump and recipe.
Step 3. Next, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the casserole for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and check if the pasta is done. It should be firm and cooked through. If the pasta needs more time, replace the foil and bake for several more minutes.
Step 4. Remove the foil from the casserole dish and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for about ten additional minutes until the cheese is gooey, melted, and bubbly.
Step 5. For best results, let the casserole set for about 10 minutes, then serve hot with your favorite side dish, such as our favorite wedge Caesar salad or garlic bread. Optionally, garnish with parmesan cheese and herbs.
Variations for Meatball Pasta Bake
- Try different noodles: You can use any variation of noodles you'd like in this dish.
- Use different meatballs: Try the Italian variety of meatballs, chicken meatballs, or give turkey meatballs a try.
- Add cream cheese: Adding cream cheese to a meatball casserole will make it extra creamy.
- Choose your favorite cheese: I used mozzarella for this recipe, but you can use any cheese you like. Try asiago cheese, creamy ricotta cheese, or any other family favorite.
- Add mushrooms: This could add even more delicious flavor!
- Make in the slow cooker: This meatball casserole recipe can also be made in a slow cooker. You'll want to cook the pasta first and add some extra sauce instead of the water and milk.
Want To Store For Later, Here's How
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Want to freeze your meatball casserole for later? Bake the casserole, let it cool, then freeze for up to three months. Defrost the casserole and bake covered at a low temperature until warm.
FAQ'S For This Meatball And Pasta Bake
I used frozen meatballs and dumped them in the pan for this meatball casserole recipe. Thawed meatballs will work just as well.
Yes! You will need to cook the pasta before adding to the slow cooker. Make sure to stir the noodles around.
For a meatball pasta bake, I like to use rotini. However, use whatever kind of pasta is your favorite! Penne pasta, ziti, or even elbow pasta would work well.
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Recipe
Meatball Pasta Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta can use ziti or penne pasta
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 14 ounces frozen meatballs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Optional ingredients
- parmesan cheese and herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the over to 425℉.
- In a 9" x 13" baking pan, add the uncooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, milk, water, meatballs and seasonings. Stir to combine
- Cover the pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and check the pasta to see if it is done. The pasta should be firm and cooked through. If the pasta needs more time, replace the foil and bake for several more minutes.
- Remove the foil from the casserole and top with shredded mozzarella cheese, and bake for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole sit to firm up, about 10 minutes, then serve hot.
Notes
- Cover any leftover pasta in a sealed container for up to three days.
- Freeze the baked casserole for up to three months and let it thaw before reheating.
- Place the casserole in the microwave or in a low-temperature oven to reheat it.
- For meal prep, bake the casserole, let it cool, and then portion it into individual freezer containers.
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Nutrition
First published: Aug 19, 2023, Last updated: June 29, 2024, for better readability.
Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog. Please leave a comment to say hello or tell me what you are baking; I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!
About Jere'
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
Roseann Yoho
Hi never heard of milk with sauce. I am going to try this. What does milk add to the taste.
Liz
I had a bag of frozen meatballs I needed to use and this recipe was perfect! So tasty!
Charles George
Can you use a glass baking dish?
Jere Cassidy
Yes, a glass baking dish will work too!
Jere Cassidy
Yes, any type of baking dish will work well for this casserole.
Jake
Honestly, have never had a meatball casserole this delicious! Followed your recipe last night and it came out amazing. Will definitely be making this for the family again.
Jere Cassidy
Thanks for the kind compliment. This is one easy cassserole.
Rehoboth
Delightful post
Thanks
Mae
So tasty and quick to prepare too! Adding cream cheese made it better! I used penne for this but I'm definitely trying out other types of pasta next time!
Rose
I've added this meatball casserole to my weekly dinner rotations, it's so simple and quick to make and my kids enjoy it.
Jere Cassidy
Glad you liked it, my kids love it too. I showed them how to make it themselves when I'm gone, it's so easy.
Ruth
Awesome recipe! Tried it and it was really gooood. The fact that it was simple and so easy to make is the best thing about it IMO, really perfect for busy weeknights!
Riley
Quick prep, no-fuss, and the flavor actually exceeded my expectations. This meatball casserole is so tasty and hassle-free.
Brooklyn
I am all about easy and this recipe couldn't be easier. I loved that the pasta cooked in the oven and it really is one pan clean up. Even better, I got all the ingredients at Aldi and the whole dinner (fed my family of 6!) was less than $10!! Can't beat that!
Glenna
Defnitely adding this to my favorites! Super easy, just dump and bake. The family loved it, and weeknight dinners got a whole lot easier.
Carmina
This meatball casserole was so easy to throw together. Quick, easy, and delicious! It's exactly what I need for weeknight dinners.