Description
Cheesy Italian Meatball Casserole delivers comfort and convenience in one delightful dish. Hearty pasta, savory meatballs, and melted cheese create a simple weeknight dinner that satisfies hungry families with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) fully-cooked miniature meatballs (thawed if frozen)
Pasta and Base:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) uncooked rotini pasta
- 25 ounces (709 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups (720 milliliters) water
Cheese and Garnish:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian blend)
- Optional: Parmesan cheese for extra flavor
- Fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), ensuring the cooking environment is perfectly calibrated for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Select a spacious baking dish and combine uncooked rotini pasta, marinara sauce, and water, stirring to create a uniform base for the meatballs.
- Gently nestle pre-cooked meatballs throughout the sauce-pasta mixture, ensuring even distribution and complete sauce coverage.
- Securely wrap the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a steamy environment that will help the pasta cook evenly and absorb maximum flavor.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the pasta to soften and the flavors to meld together.
- Carefully remove the foil and stir the contents, checking the pasta’s tenderness and sauce consistency.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the surface of the casserole, creating a golden, melty topping.
- Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, watching the cheese transform into a bubbling, appetizing layer.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly.
- Finish by garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley for a burst of herbaceous freshness.
Notes
- Quick cleanup is guaranteed with this one-dish wonder that minimizes kitchen mess.
- Frozen meatballs become the secret weapon for an incredibly fast weeknight dinner solution.
- Moisture from marinara sauce helps uncooked pasta absorb liquid and become perfectly tender during baking.
- Cheese melting creates a golden, irresistible top layer that transforms this simple casserole into a crowd-pleasing meal.
- Minimal prep means you can go from ingredients to dinner table in under an hour, making this recipe a total lifesaver for busy families.
- Fresh herbs sprinkled at the end add a bright, fresh finish that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg