Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole

Introduction

The Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole is the ultimate answer to busy weeknights, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort. By simply combining a handful of pantry staples in one dish—no need for pre-cooking or sautéing—you get a hearty, comfort-food favorite that’s a true crowd-pleaser. Perfect for families or for sharing at potlucks, this casserole brings together tender meatballs, gooey cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta—all baked to bubbly perfection.

Why Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole is a Hit

This recipe shines because of its incredible simplicity. Just “dump” everything into a casserole dish, give it a quick mix, and let the oven do the work. The flavors meld together beautifully, resulting in juicy, flavorful meatballs nestled in a rich tomato sauce and smothered in melted cheese. It’s a fuss-free dinner that feels special and satisfies even the hungriest appetites.

Choosing the Right Meatballs

Frozen store-bought meatballs make this meal effortless, but feel free to use homemade ones if you have extra time or a favorite recipe. Either way, make sure they are fully cooked before adding to the casserole to ensure even heating and the best texture.

How to Assemble Your Meatball Casserole

Pour dry, uncooked pasta into the casserole dish as your base, then add marinara sauce and water—these liquids cook the pasta right in the oven. Toss in the meatballs, sprinkle with spices, and top with shredded cheese. The result is a bubbly, golden-topped casserole ready for your table in a little over half an hour.

Serving Suggestions for Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole

Serve this casserole with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a satisfying meal. Leftovers make a fantastic lunch and can be packed up for meal prep throughout the week. It’s hearty, filling, and sure to leave everyone reaching for seconds.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields roughly 6 generous servings, with each portion offering protein, carbs, and the rich flavor of melted cheese. Depending on the brand of meatballs and cheese you use, each serving contains approximately 450–550 calories. It’s a substantial meal best enjoyed as a main course.

Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole (Recap)

With its lightning-fast assembly and everyone’s favorite flavors, this dump-and-bake casserole is destined to be a regular in your recipe rotation. It’s the definition of comfort food—fast, easy, and delicious.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically create a categorized shopping list! CookifyAI ensures all your meal ingredients are grouped by store section, making your shopping faster and more organized.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Pour the uncooked pasta into the casserole dish. Add the entire jar of marinara sauce and the water, stirring to combine and coat the pasta evenly.
3. Arrange the frozen meatballs evenly on top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
4. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper as desired over the casserole.
5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven, carefully uncover, and stir the pasta and meatballs. Top evenly with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
7. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden, and the pasta has cooked through.
8. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole fits seamlessly into any busy weeknight schedule and is perfect for meal prepping ahead. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to generate a consolidated shopping list optimized for multiple meals, ensuring you get everything you need in one trip.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total quantities needed for all planned recipes
• Categorizes your grocery list by store section to save time
• Eliminates accidentally buying duplicates or missing key ingredients
• Makes meal planning and batch meal prep seamless

Pro tip: When organizing your week, schedule multiple recipes in CookifyAI to unlock smart ingredient consolidation—for example, it will combine all cheese and pasta amounts from your weekly meals into one neat list!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 52 minutes

Enjoy this effortless Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole—a true set-it-and-forget-it dinner hero!