Description
This hearty Meatball Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender pasta baked with flavorful meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and a blend of Italian seasonings. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and fresh parsley, it’s an easy and satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
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). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the baking dish, add the dried pasta, thawed meatballs, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together, pressing the pasta down so it’s mostly submerged in the sauce and liquid.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Afterward, check if the pasta is cooked to al dente. If not, continue baking for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Once the pasta is al dente, remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm. This casserole pairs wonderfully with crusty bread.
Notes
- Use low sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Ensure meatballs are fully thawed before baking for even cooking.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with a blend of oregano, basil, and thyme if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes.
- The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking to save time.
