Are you looking for a comforting and satisfying mid-week meal? Then you just have to try my meatball casserole! This hearty and flavorful dish is a classic for good reason - you can't go wrong with tender meatballs, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese. My meatball casserole is so simple to make, yet always a hit when served to family or friends!
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Whether you're feeding a crowd or needing a delicious meal for your family - you don't want to spend ages slaving away in the kitchen!
This dump and bake meatball casserole takes the hassle out of dinner and is a guaranteed hit with everyone. My meatball casserole only requires 10 minutes of prep time, and the rest of the work is done in the oven!
You can use whatever meatballs you have to hand - frozen, chicken, or even homemade Italian meatballs; the choice is yours. All I know is that when you take your first bite of my meatball casserole recipe, you'll ask for seconds! Seriously, the classic combination of yummy pasta sauce, mozzarella, meatballs, and pasta is unbeatable.
Rich, comforting, and oh-so-tasty - what more could you ask for?
Why You'll Love Meatball Casserole
- Uses staple ingredients. No fancy ingredients are needed for this recipe, just some simple pantry basics you likely have to hand.
- Absolutely delicious! This family-friendly dish is hearty and comforting and a complete meal in itself. However, this recipe also pairs as a great meatball sub casserole - serve it in a sub roll, and you have a quick and easy meatball sub!
- Fuss-free. Combining simple ingredients and using just one pan makes this dump and bake meatball casserole a breeze!
Ingredients For Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Pasta sauce
- Water
- Half and half
- Pasta
- Meatballs
- Mozzarella
- Parsley
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Meatball Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Combine pasta sauce, water, half and half, and the pasta in a 9x13 (or similar) pan.
- Press the meatballs into the pasta so they are submerged and evenly spaced throughout the pasta.
- Top with the mozarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
What to Serve With Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
You don't need to worry about side dishes when you serve this dinner - it's a complete meal in one pan!
However, if you want to add a few extras, then I highly recommend a fresh green salad and Italian cheese garlic bread - which will come in handy for mopping up the delicious sauce! Veggies are also always a good idea. My Instant Pot green beans, frozen carrots, or grilled asparagus will add a touch of freshness to your meal.
For something a little different, a butter beans with herbs side dish will also work great! And, of course, you can always serve your meatball casserole in a sub - the ultimate comfort food.
Yes, it makes a great lunch the day after! Just make sure to store your leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. If you're using frozen meatballs, be sure to check the instructions for storing and reheating.
Once cooked, allow your meatball sub casserole to cool and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and then reheat in the oven or microwave until piping hot throughout. Just remember that the pasta may be a bit softer than when freshly cooked!
This meatball casserole is so good as it is, but it's also a great base for adding extra ingredients. Try throwing in some mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for an extra dose of veggies. You can also add some spice with red pepper flakes or extra earthiness with some Italian herbs.
As for the cheese - mozzarella, meatballs, and pasta will always be a match made in heaven. But you could try adding parmesan or even a mix of both! You can also use any type of short pasta shape, as long as it has similar cook times.
You can use your favorite pasta sauce in this meatball casserole recipe - whether it's store-bought or homemade. Store-bought is super convenient and perfect for busy weeknights. However, my homemade Instant Pot marinara sauce can add an extra depth of flavor to your meal but it isn't a requirement.
Whichever sauce you choose, this meaty, cheesy casserole will surely be a hit with the whole family!
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Meatball Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup pasta (short, any kind)
- 24 meatballs (cooked)
- 2 cups mozarella
- 1 tablespoon parsley (fresh, minced)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
- Combine pasta sauce, water, half and half, and the pasta in a 9x13 (or similar) pan.
- Press the meatballs into the pasta so they are submerged and evenly spaced throughout the pasta.
- Top with the mozarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 10-15 more minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Anonymous
It was very soupy and thin
I followed direx exactly but when I saw how thin it was I added corn starch slurry which ofcourse mixed the cheese. I sprinkled some cheese on before serving and the fam ate it up. (I did add the chili flakes as well as black pepper)