This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole lives up to its name, offering a super simple yet incredibly satisfying meal with minimal effort. Frozen meatballs and pasta bake together in a rich marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, making it a perfect quick dinner for busy nights.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Frozen meatballs | 1 bag (defrosted) |
| Marinara or spaghetti sauce | 1 jar |
| Water | 3 cups |
| Bowtie pasta | 1 box |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Mozzarella cheese | 1 ½ cups |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | ¼ cup |
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Combine Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a high-sided oven-proof pot or large skillet, combine the defrosted frozen meatballs, one jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce, 3 cups of water, one box of bowtie pasta, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir everything well to combine, ensuring the pasta is as submerged as possible in the liquid.
- Initial Bake (Covered): Cover the pot or skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
- Final Bake (Uncovered): Remove the lid or foil. Sprinkle the 1 ½ cups of mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Rest & Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the casserole to set.