Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe
A simple and comforting Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole that combines rotini pasta, savory marinara sauce, tender miniature meatballs, and melty cheese all baked together for a hearty family meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 (24 or 25 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
Meatballs and Cheese
- 1 (14 ounce) package fully-cooked miniature (cocktail-size) meatballs
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend cheese
Optional Garnish
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped herbs such as basil, oregano, or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you assemble the casserole.
- Combine ingredients: In a large baking dish, mix the uncooked rotini pasta with the marinara sauce and 3 cups of water. Ensure the pasta is evenly coated and submerged in the liquid to cook properly.
- Add meatballs: Spread the fully-cooked miniature meatballs evenly over the pasta and sauce mixture in the baking dish.
- First bake: Cover the casserole tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook through as it absorbs the sauce and water.
- Add cheese: Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Final bake: Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven and optionally top with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can swap rotini for other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.
- Use fully-cooked meatballs to avoid undercooked meat inside the casserole.
- Covering with foil traps steam, which helps cook the pasta evenly.
- Fresh herbs add a bright finish but are optional.
- Make sure to measure the water carefully for proper pasta cooking.
Keywords: meatball casserole, dump and bake, rotini pasta, easy pasta bake, one dish meal, comfort food, Italian casserole