Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole – Cheesy One-Pan Pasta Bake
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is an easy one-pan baked pasta dish made with rotini, marinara sauce, meatballs, and melted cheese for a comforting family dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz) package uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 (24–25 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 (14 oz) package fully cooked cocktail meatballs, thawed
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a 9×13 baking dish, combine uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, and meatballs. Stir well.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil, stir, and check pasta tenderness.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and bake uncovered for 5–10 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve hot.
Notes
- Use high-quality marinara sauce for best flavor.
- Ensure meatballs are fully thawed before baking.
- Do not overbake to avoid mushy pasta.
- Add vegetables like spinach or peppers for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving