Description
This hearty Meatball Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal combining tender pasta, savory meatballs, and rich marinara sauce, all baked to perfection with a bubbly mozzarella cheese topping. Perfect for a family dinner, it delivers classic Italian flavors with minimal effort and a delightful cheesy finish.
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: 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: Add the dried pasta, thawed meatballs, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes into the prepared baking dish. Stir gently to combine and press the pasta down so it is mostly submerged under the sauce and liquid.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After baking, check if the pasta is al dente; if not, bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to cook the pasta further.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm, ideally paired with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Thaw the meatballs beforehand for even cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes slightly.
- Using freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Covering the dish tightly with foil helps the pasta cook perfectly by steaming in the sauce.
- For a vegetarian option, replace meatballs with plant-based alternatives or vegetables.
