Meatball Pasta Casserole is a dump-and-bake dinner made with uncooked pasta, frozen meatballs, jarred sauce, and mozzarella. Everything goes straight into a 9 x 13 pan, so there’s no need to boil the pasta or thaw the meatballs first.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
This page may contain affiliate links; please see my disclosure for policy details. I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.
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.
Pro tip: use frozen meatballs, and don’t cook the pasta.
I also like making this casserole for casual get-togethers and potlucks. Serve it with Caprese Garlic Bread and you’ve got a hearty meal without much fuss.
Recipe Highlights
- Type of recipe: Comfort food, easy dinner
- Cooking method: Baked casserole
- Skill level: Beginner-friendly
- Flavors & textures: Cheesy, savory and saucy.
If you’re a meatball lover, try my Cheese Stuffed Mexican Meatballs. I serve them with rice for dinner or as an appetizer for parties.
What You Need for This Meatball Pasta Bake
- Uncooked pasta – Rotini works well; ziti or penne pasta are good substitutes.
- Spaghetti sauce – Use your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce. A thicker sauce works best so the casserole doesn’t turn watery.
- Milk – You’ll need 1 cup of milk to soften the acidity of the tomato sauce and give it a creamier texture.
- Water – Use 2 cups to cook the pasta.
- Meatballs – I use frozen Italian meatballs. Frozen beef or turkey meatballs also work well.
- Seasoning – For flavor, you’ll need garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt.
- Mozzarella cheese – Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the casserole during the final few minutes of baking.
- Garnish – Optionally, you can add parmesan cheese and herbs for garnish. A sprinkle of fresh basil is a nice addition.
Equipment Needed
Use a standard 9 x 13-inch baking dish for this recipe. The pasta needs enough room to spread out and cook evenly in the sauce, so I don’t recommend using a smaller or deep casserole dish.
How to Make Meatball Pasta Casserole
Step 1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a standard 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2. Add the uncooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, milk, water, frozen meatballs, and seasonings to the baking dish. Stir well to combine, making sure the pasta is coated with the liquid.
Step 3. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 425°F for 35 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, stir the pasta and meatballs, then cover it again and bake for another 10 minutes.
Step 4. Remove the foil and check the pasta. It should be tender but not mushy. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the casserole and return it to the oven, uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Step 5. Let the casserole set for about 10 minutes, before seerving. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with wedge Caesar salad or garlic bread. Serve with wedge Caesar salad or garlic bread.
Variations for Meatball Pasta Bake
- Italian, turkey, or beef frozen meatballs
- Rotini, penne, or ziti
- Marinara or spaghetti sauce
How to Store for Later
Store leftover meatball pasta casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta continues to absorb the sauce as it sits, so this casserole has the best texture the day it is made.
If reheating leftovers, add a spoonful of marinara sauce before warming to help add back some moisture.
Subscribe here for more great recipes, and follow One Hot Oven for more tasty sweet and savory recipes! Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook
Recipe
Tried it? Rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & comment below; your feedback keeps the oven mitts flying here at One Hot Oven.
Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta uncooked; penne or ziti may be substituted
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 14 ounces frozen meatballs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded – or as much as you like
Optional ingredients
- parmesan cheese and herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a standard 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add the uncooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, milk, water, frozen meatballs, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, and salt to the baking dish. Stir well to combine, making sure the pasta is coated with the liquid.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and stir the pasta and meatballs well. Cover again and bake for 10 more minutes.
- Remove the foil and check the pasta. It should be tender but not mushy. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the casserole and bake uncovered for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
- Do not boil the pasta or thaw the frozen meatballs before assembling the casserole.
- Use a standard 9 x 13-inch baking dish so the pasta can spread out and cook evenly in the liquid.
- Stir the casserole after the first 35 minutes of baking. This helps the pasta cook more evenly.
- If you remove the casserole from the oven to stir while baking, it will be very hot and heavy.
- The casserole has the best texture the day it is made. Leftover pasta continues to absorb the sauce as it sits.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a spoonful of marinara sauce before reheating to add moisture back.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition
First published: August 19, 2023. Last updated: September 4, 2026, with updated baking instructions, clearer tips, and improved 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. Do you have any questions or want to chat about the recipe? Please visit my About page for information, and I’ll be happy to help!
Hello there, I’m 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.
I’ve made this twice as written and it’s a great recipe. All 4 of my kids really like it. I’m making it today for a Meal Train meal for a new mom coworker.
Thanks for the kind comment. My kids have always loved this recipe too, mainly because of all the meatballs.
IME, 45 minutes at 425 was too long — the pasta got mushy. I halved the recipe, used on-hand marinara, my own Italian seasoning blend, and added some dried onions. Otherwise followed the recipe as written. Suggest cutting back the temperature or reducing the time. 45 minutes at 350 has been the usual time for recipes of this type.