Description
This Meatball Casserole is a hearty, comforting, one-dish meal featuring tender pasta baked with savory marinara sauce, flavorful meatballs, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines easily accessible ingredients into a delicious, cheesy casserole baked to perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pasta (like ziti, rotini, penne, etc.)
- 28 ounce bag frozen meatballs (thawed)
- 24 ounce marinara sauce
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2½ cups mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)
- Fresh parsley (chopped for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, pour in the dried pasta, thawed meatballs, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine, making sure to push the pasta down so it is mostly submerged in the sauce and broth mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, check if the pasta is cooked to al dente. If it needs more time, continue baking for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Once the pasta is al dente, remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm. Pair with crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh meatballs or homemade meatballs if preferred; adjust thawed time accordingly.
- Using low sodium beef broth helps control salt levels, but taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat covered to maintain moisture.
- This casserole freezes well before baking — thaw completely before baking.
