You don’t even have to boil the pasta for this easy dump and bake meatball casserole. With just 5 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, family-friendly weeknight dinners don’t get much better!
If you love easy baked pasta dinners, try our dump-and-bake pizza casserole and this 3-cheese baked ziti, too. You’ll find even more favorites in our collection of best pasta bake recipes.
Table of Contents
Before You Get Started
A few quick tips to make sure your meatball casserole turns out perfectly:
- Use fully-cooked, thawed meatballs. Thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator before adding them to the casserole. Starting with fully-cooked meatballs (not raw) is important, because raw meatballs can release too much grease into the dish and may not cook through evenly by the time the pasta is tender. I prefer smaller “cocktail-size” or “bite-size” meatballs because they’re easier to eat and distribute more evenly throughout the casserole.
- Pick a high-quality marinara sauce. With only 5 ingredients in this recipe, each one really matters. A flavorful marinara will make a big difference in the finished dish. I like Rao’s brand, but any pasta sauce you love will work.
- Choose the right pasta shape. Rotini is my go-to for this casserole, but penne or elbows work well too. Just make sure the package lists a similar cooking time (about 7-8 minutes). A pasta with a longer cook time, like rigatoni, will need a few extra minutes in the oven.
How to Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
This is one of the easiest dinners you’ll ever make. Everything goes into one dish, no boiling required, and the oven does all the heavy lifting.
Step 1: Mix Everything Together
Preheat your oven to 425°F and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk together the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder directly in the dish.
Add the uncooked pasta and thawed meatballs, then give everything a good stir.
Use your hands or a spoon to gently press down, submerging as many of the noodles in the sauce as possible. It will look really watery at this stage, but don’t worry! The pasta absorbs a lot of that liquid as it bakes, and you’ll end up with a rich, thick tomato sauce by the end.
⇢ Want to add veggies? Stir in a handful of sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, or baby spinach before baking. Fresh vegetables will release a bit of moisture as they cook, so keep an eye on the timing.
Step 2: Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. A tight seal is key here because the trapped steam is what cooks the pasta. If the foil isn’t secure, the liquid can evaporate and leave you with crunchy noodles.
After 35 minutes, remove the foil and give the casserole a gentle stir. Taste a piece of pasta to check doneness. It should be al dente (firm but almost done). If it’s still too hard, just cover the dish again and pop it back in for another 5-10 minutes.
⇢ Baking time will vary depending on your pan type and oven. Glass or ceramic dishes take longer than metal pans, so check the pasta and adjust as needed. You’ll know it’s ready when the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 3: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese) evenly over the top.
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for 5-10 more minutes, just until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the pasta is perfectly tender.
⇢ Don’t overcook the pasta. Once the cheese goes on, the casserole only needs a few more minutes. Overcooked noodles will turn gummy and mushy, so keep an eye on it during this last stretch.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Let the casserole rest for a couple of minutes, then finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for a bright pop of color. Extra grated Parmesan cheese on top is always a good idea, too.
Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half and bake in an 8-inch square pan. Check the pasta after 30 minutes, as it may be done slightly sooner.
Love this! It has become my go-to meal to make when I didn’t have a plan and I need something easy that I know the kids will love. It is my son’s favorite meal!
– Jessica
What to Serve with Meatball Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough on its own, but a few simple sides round out the meal nicely.
Bread:
Salad and Veggies:
Storage and Reheating
Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole a few hours in advance, or even leave it covered in the fridge overnight before baking. The pasta will start to soften and absorb some liquid as it sits, so you may need to decrease the baking time slightly. Just watch closely so you don’t end up with mushy noodles.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This casserole is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, as the pasta texture changes over time.
Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this casserole. The pasta texture won’t hold up well when thawed and reheated.
This was absolutely excellent! A hit with the family and will definitely be adding to our favorites! Thank you so much!
– Heather
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use raw or uncooked meatballs?
I recommend starting with fully-cooked meatballs. Raw meatballs can release too much grease into the casserole and may not cook through by the time the pasta is done. If you only have raw meatballs, brown them in a skillet or bake them in the oven first before adding them to the dish.
What kind of pasta works best?
Short pasta shapes with a 7-8 minute cook time work best. Rotini is my favorite, but penne, elbows, or bowtie pasta are all great options. Avoid very large shapes like rigatoni unless you’re willing to add extra baking time.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! If doubling, use two separate 9 x 13-inch baking dishes rather than one oversized pan. This ensures the pasta cooks evenly and has enough room to absorb the liquid properly. The baking time stays about the same.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Absolutely. Sliced mushrooms, diced bell peppers, baby spinach, or even thawed frozen broccoli all work well. Stir them in with the other ingredients before baking. Just keep in mind that some vegetables release extra moisture, so you may want to reduce the water by a couple of tablespoons or check the casserole a few minutes earlier.
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Watch How to Make It
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
Equipment
- 9 x 13-Inch Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 (31-32 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
- 14 ounces frozen fully-cooked miniature (cocktail-size) Italian-style meatballs, thawed
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian blend cheese
- Optional garnish: Parmesan cheese; fresh chopped herbs such as basil or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In the prepared dish, whisk together the marinara sauce, water, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Add the uncooked pasta and the thawed meatballs to the dish. Stir to combine, spreading everything evenly in the sauce. Use a spoon to gently press the noodles down so they're submerged in the liquid as much as possible.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil and stir gently. Check the pasta to make sure it is al dente (firm but almost done). If the pasta is still too hard, cover the dish and return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes, then check again.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the pasta is tender.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Thaw the meatballs first. Use fully-cooked frozen meatballs, thawed in the refrigerator before assembling. Raw meatballs are not recommended for this recipe.
- Cocktail-size meatballs work best. Smaller meatballs are easier to eat and distribute more evenly. Regular-size meatballs will work, but the smaller ones are ideal.
- Any meatball variety works. Turkey, beef, chicken, pork, or Italian-style meatballs are all great here. Pick your favorite!
- Pasta swaps: Penne, elbows, or bowtie pasta can replace the rotini. Choose a shape with a similar cook time (7-8 minutes on the package).
- Cover tightly with foil. The steam inside the dish is what cooks the pasta. If the foil isn’t sealed well, the liquid will evaporate and the noodles won’t cook through.
- Pan type affects baking time. Glass or ceramic dishes take longer than metal pans. Always check the pasta for doneness before adding the cheese.
- For extra flavor: Try a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, replace 1 cup of the water with red wine, or substitute low-sodium beef broth for all of the water.
- Half batch: Cut all ingredients in half and bake in an 8-inch square pan. Check pasta after 30 minutes.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to a day ahead and refrigerate. You may need to slightly decrease baking time since the pasta will start absorbing liquid.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Originally published in September, 2015, this post was updated in March, 2026.
I’m so glad I came across your recipe! It was easy & effortless to make, and I used casserole elbows and shredded taco cheese which came out DELICIOUSLY! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Kimberly! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
Hi, besides defrosting the meatballs for almost a whole day, do you think you could partially cook them to prepare them for the casserole? Thanks for you help,
Christine
Hi, Christine! Sure, I think that would work fine! 🙂
I thought that too, Christine. I would bake the meatballs first at least partially.Going to try it!
Amazing!!!! Used my own homemade spaghetti sauce, with onions and mushrooms in it. Used Italian meatballs “Walmart brand” cooked for an extra 20 minutes. Amazing! Kids and husband loved it.
Sounds perfect! Thank you. 🙂
This is great! I loved the comment that said get your grand daughter to put it all together. My little helper will really enjoy preparing this recipe. I’ll make enough for her to take home for mom and dad. thanks so much for the inspiration…..I’m going to subscribe. LIKE! Thanks bay.
Thank you, Jeannie! I hope you enjoy the meal! 🙂
I just made this, so fast and simple, I cooked my for 45 minutes and 5 extra for cheese. It was so good and filling. The 3 cups of water was perfect
Thank so much for this great recipe
Sandy
That’s great, Sandy! Thank you for taking the time to come back here and let me know. 🙂
Do you think it’d be okay to do this in slow cooker for a 2 hrs in low?
Hi, Kristy! I think it would work in the slow cooker, but I don’t know the exact timing because I haven’t tested it myself. The tricky part about the slow cooker is making sure that the pasta cooks through until it’s tender, and then you turn it off right away. If you let the pasta cook for too long in the Crock Pot, it will get overdone, mushy, and gummy — which is obviously not ideal. As long as you’re home to keep a close eye on the pasta, the slow cooker would probably be okay.
Is this something that I can put in a casserole dish and let it sit in the fridge all day and then my husband can throw in the over when he gets home? If so… do I add the water and let it sit all day? I’m trying to figure out more meals for him to make while I’m working.
Hi, Elyssa! I haven’t prepped the dish that way, but I know other folks have done so. It should work fine! The pasta will soften a little as it sits in the liquid, so you may need to reduce the overall cooking time by a few minutes. You just don’t want to end up with mushy, overdone pasta at the end. Remind your husband to check it towards the end and pull the dish out of the oven as soon as the noodles are tender. 🙂
Excited to try this subbing the meatballs for veggie meatballs! Going to add fresh mushrooms too per another commenters suggestion.
Hope you enjoy, Lorena! Have a great weekend. 🙂
YUM! I work full time so time is tight at dinnertime and I’m always looking for a quick easy recipe, and this one definetly fit the bill. I couldn’t find mini meatballs but regular size worked just fine, I just didn’t add as many. 3 cups of water was the perfect amount. I used Rao’s marinara sauce and added a bit of Italian Seasoning and garlic before stirring and baking. Since I used a ceramic dish, the bake time was about 43-45 minutes, then I combined parmesan and mozzarella cheeses on top and baked uncovered another 10 minutes. Topped it off with basil. I think next time I might use Italian Cheeses instead of Mozzarella to give it more of a kick. We had leftovers the next day and all it needed was a bit more sauce tossed in and it was just as good. Doesn’t get any easier than this recipe, low prep time and quick bake time. definetly a keeper. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Michele! I’m so glad that it works with your busy schedule!
We loved this recipe! I used regular size meatballs and penne pasta. Toward the end of cooking time I stirred the casserole and felt it needed a second jade of sauce. I cooked it a few more minutes before adding the mozzarella.
Thank you, Diane!
Hello Blair. I was wondering if I could use some tomato paste with this? Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Juls
Hi, Juls! Yes, ma’am! You can definitely stir in some tomato paste (maybe start with 1-2 T) for a sauce with a more rich tomato flavor. 🙂
Just made this, it was so good! Added a lot of extra seasonings (crushed garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder & a bit of red pepper flakes) Glad I did otherwise i think it would have a bit bland for my test. Will definitely be making this again!
Thanks, LeeAnn!
I followed your recipe, substituting gluten-free pasta and gluten-free meatballs. It was great!
So glad to hear that, Roy. Thank you!
My husband just loves this. He’s asked to make it at least once a week.
We’re so happy to hear this, Marie!
Thank you so much for sharing your gluten free adaptation!!!
You’re so welcome, Connie! We hope you enjoy.
This recipe is very easy to make, which I like. The flavor is pretty good.The only change I did was add in some Italian Seasoning. Will probably make again since it is quick to assemble.
I’m so burned out with cooking dinner on sports/activity nights and always looking for easy dinner ideas. I just discovered all of your Dump and Bake recipes. I’m so excited! Trying this one tonight!
I’m so glad they might be helpful! Hope you enjoy the recipes.
Homemade meatballs cooked in homemade sauce one night, and then followed the rest of the recipe the next night, made for a wonderful meal!!
Yum! Sounds perfect, Donna! 🙂
Chickpea Noodles results in a pile of mush. Haha. I’m guessing cooking time should have been adjusted but I just went for it.
Oh, darn! Well, now we know. Thanks for letting us know!
Made this for my daughter and I. As a single father, I love these easier recipes and we absolutely loved it. Thank you.
That’s awesome, Jeff! I’m so glad that you both enjoyed the meal!
Love,love,love❤️These recipes!!! Tks
Thanks, MaryAnn!
Could you substitute chicken broth for the water, for more flavor?
Absolutely! 🙂
I used a 30 oz. jar of Rao’s Marinara sauce (my favorite). I had no mozzarella so i used a cup of Kraft grated parmesan and a cup of Jarlsberg cheese that I shredded on my grater. Everything else was as you suggest iin the recipe. The dish came out perfect. It was excellent! I am definitely going to make this again.
Thank you so much, Claudia! We’re so happy you enjoyed it.
Okay, I cook; I don’t dump. But, this evening, I just didn’t want to face all the pots I’d have to wash using my usual method of making something akin to this. So, I tried your recipe, with trepidation. OMG!!! It was great! Thanks so much for expanding my horizons!
Thank you so much for trying it out, Maggie! We’re so happy you enjoyed the recipe.
I made this for dinner this evening, and was delightfully surprised with the recipe and the results. Can’t get any easier than this recipe for new cooks or old ones. Will definitely make this for some potlucks coming up in the next two months and take the recipe with me to share.
Thank you Blair for your recipes that you share with your followers.
02/06/23
Thank you so much, Linda! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.
Delicious and easy! This will definitely be in our rotation.
Thank you, Rebecca!