Description
This Easy Meatball Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty one-dish meal featuring rotini pasta, savory marinara sauce, frozen cooked meatballs, and a blend of cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, it makes a perfect family dinner that combines pasta, protein, and melty cheese in a flavorful Italian-inspired casserole.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz Uncooked Pasta (rotini, cavatappi or ziti)
- 2 24-ounce jars Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 ½ cups Beef Broth (low sodium preferred)
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
- ¾ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 pound Frozen Cooked Meatballs, thawed
- 2 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
- ¾ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 ½ cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Fresh Basil and Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly spray or grease a deep 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, milk, beef broth, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, thawed meatballs, and chopped parsley. Stir well to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the pasta and meatball mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing the pasta gently so it is submerged in the liquid to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 50-60 minutes. This allows the pasta to absorb flavors and cook through.
- Stir and Check Pasta: Carefully remove the foil and stir the casserole. Check the pasta’s doneness; it should be firm but nearly fully cooked. If not done, re-cover and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Uncover the dish and evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes. This helps the dish set and makes serving easier.
- Optional Browning: For a golden, browned cheese topping, place the casserole under the broiler for a few minutes before serving, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Use any short pasta like rotini, cavatappi, or ziti for best texture.
- Low sodium beef broth helps control saltiness but regular broth works too.
- Frozen cooked meatballs should be thawed before mixing to ensure even heating.
- Covering the dish while baking keeps moisture in for perfectly cooked pasta.
- Resting the dish after baking improves texture and flavor melding.
- Broiling at the end is optional but adds a nice golden crust to the cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
