Meatball and Pasta Bake Casserole
Meatball and Pasta Bake Casserole is a super easy recipe that the whole family is going to LOVE! If you’re short on time and need a delicious dinner on the table ASAP, you’ve got to try this.
This delicious dinner is so easy, you’ll have it memorized after the first time you make it. Which is a good thing because this recipe is definitely a keeper!
Why You Will Love Meatball and Pasta Bake Casserole
Ingredients Needed for Pasta Meatball Bake
Ingredient quantities for easy homemade are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Frozen pre-cooked meatballs
- Rigatoni or ziti pasta
- Marinara or pasta sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese or Parmesan and romano cheese (optional but highly recommended)
How To Make Pasta and Meatballs Bake (Quick Overview)
The steps below are just a quick overview of how to make recipe. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Preheat oven to temperature listed on recipe card (at the end of the post) and get out a casserole dish (at least 13″ x 9″).
- Prepare frozen meatballs per bag instructions, then add to the casserole dish.
Tip
For convenience, you can bake the meatballs in the same casserole dish you use for the full casserole. (Adjust oven temperature as needed, but return to 375 F after removing meatballs from the oven.)
- While meatballs are being prepared, prepare pasta per box instructions, but cook 1-2 minutes less than the lowest box cook time (to ensure pasta doesn’t get soggy when baked). Drain and set aside.
- Optionally stir grated Parmesan cheese into the jar of marinara or pasta sauce.
Tip
The Parmesan cheese can add additional flavor to the casserole.
- To the casserole dish, add meatballs, pasta, and sauce.
- Loosely stir to mix sauce into meatballs and pasta.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until casserole is heated through.
- Serve and enjoy!
Optionally top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese. 🧀
More Italian Dinner Recipes
- Try this cheesy Italian meatloaf recipe that your entire family will love!
- Our meatball casserole is easy and delicious for parties and is perfect for a football game day food.
What Sides Go Good With Easy Italian Meatloaf?
- Our oven roasted vegetables recipe is a perfect compliment to our Italian meatloaf. Yes, your kids will love this healthy side dish!
- Enjoy this oven roasted brussels sprouts recipe that is topped with parmesan cheese.
- Baked zucchini and squash is an easy recipe to combine with any of our meatloaf recipes! Or, try our baked carrots and zucchini for that added sweet carrot flavor.
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Meatball Pasta Bake Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen pre-cooked meatballs
- 1 lb rigatoni or ziti pasta
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese OR Parmesan and romano cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F and get out a casserole dish (at least 13" x 9").
- Prepare frozen meatballs per bag instructions, then add to the casserole dish. For convenience, you can bake them in the same casserole dish you use for the full casserole. (Adjust oven temperature as needed, but return to 375 F after removing meatballs from the oven.)
- While meatballs are being prepared, prepare pasta per box instructions, but cook 1-2 minutes less than the lowest box cook time (to ensure pasta doesn’t get soggy when baked). Drain and set aside.
- Optionally stir grated Parmesan cheese into the jar of marinara or pasta sauce.
- To the casserole dish, add meatballs, pasta, and sauce. Loosely stir to mix sauce into meatballs and pasta.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until casserole is heated through.
- Serve and enjoy! Optionally top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The grated Parmesan or Parmesan and romano is the kind you buy in a plastic shaker jar.
- If baking your frozen meatballs, you can bake them in the same casserole dish you use for this recipe.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
More Casserole Recipes
I tried this Meatball and Pasta Bake Casserole. It was very easy to prepare and is a filling meal for winter. It makes my life easier when I can put together a meal that the family likes with no huge time investment.
It fed three of us (husband, teenager, and myself) and everyone liked it. I froze the leftovers in serving size containers and my teenager was happy to have something to heat in the microwave and eat when he got home from school.
This was delicious, the only change I made was the pasta. I used penne instead. Love how easy this was to make, and it makes a lot. Great for meal planning.
Thank you so much, Michelle! I’m so glad you loved my recipe!