Description
A hearty and comforting Meatball Casserole featuring tender pasta, savory meatballs, and rich marinara sauce, all baked together with melted mozzarella cheese for a satisfying family dinner.
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 the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine ingredients: In the prepared baking dish, pour in the dried pasta, thawed meatballs, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir gently to combine, pushing the pasta down so it is mostly submerged in the sauce and liquid.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook and absorb the flavors.
- Check pasta doneness: Remove the foil and test if the pasta is al dente by tasting a piece. If it’s not quite cooked through, continue baking uncovered for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Once pasta reaches al dente, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm, optionally alongside crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Be sure to thaw frozen meatballs completely before assembling to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Fresh shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded for a gooey topping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- You can substitute beef broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor profile.
