This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is the ultimate no-fuss comfort food. With just 5 ingredients and no need to pre-boil the pasta, this one-dish meal is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners. Toss everything into a baking dish, pop it in the oven, and in less than an hour you’ll have a cheesy, saucy pasta casserole that’s guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) package uncooked rotini pasta

• 1 (24–25 oz) jar marinara sauce

• 3 cups water

• 1 (14 oz) package fully-cooked miniature (cocktail-size) meatballs, thawed if frozen

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

• Optional garnish: Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, oregano, or parsley

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. In a 9×13-inch greased baking dish, stir together the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, and meatballs. Season with salt to taste.

3. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.

4. Uncover and stir. Check if the pasta is al dente. If it’s still firm, cover and return to the oven for 5–10 more minutes.

5. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes, until cheese is melted and pasta is tender.

6. Garnish with herbs or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrients (Per Serving – 1/8 of the casserole)

• Calories: 461.4 kcal

• Fat: 21.3g

• Saturated Fat: 8.5g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 2.7g

• Cholesterol: 64.9mg

• Sodium: 1106.6mg

• Potassium: 379.9mg

• Carbohydrates: 43.6g

• Fiber: 3.2g

• Sugar: 8.3g

• Protein: 24.2g

Prep and Cook Time

This casserole is perfect when time is short but you still want a homemade dinner on the table. With less than 10 minutes of prep and a total cook time of under an hour, it’s ideal for weeknights, last-minute meal decisions, or even lazy Sunday evenings. The best part is that there’s no need to boil the pasta beforehand—just stir everything together in the baking dish, cover it, and let the oven do the rest. By the time it’s ready, your kitchen will smell amazing, and your family will be eagerly waiting for their first bite.

Yield and Serving Suggestions

This recipe yields about eight generous servings, making it ideal for feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for a few days in advance. It’s a standalone dish that’s rich and satisfying on its own, but you can easily stretch it further with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with Italian dressing or a batch of garlic bread makes the perfect pairing. If you’re serving a larger group, consider rounding out the table with roasted vegetables or a tangy antipasto platter. Whether served for dinner, lunch leftovers, or even a casual gathering, this casserole is as filling as it is flavorful.

Inspiration Behind the Recipe

The inspiration for Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole comes from the growing need for easy, no-prep meals that don’t sacrifice comfort or taste. Traditional baked pasta dishes often require boiling pasta, browning meat, and simmering sauces—all tasks that can feel like too much on a busy night. This recipe flips the script by offering that same comfort-food experience without the workload. It borrows from the popularity of dump-and-bake methods and combines it with the timeless flavors of spaghetti and meatballs, delivering the best of both worlds with none of the stress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There’s so much to love about this casserole. First, it’s incredibly easy—just five ingredients and a single dish. No stovetop, no mixing bowls, and no complicated steps. Second, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Kids adore the cheesy, saucy pasta and bite-sized meatballs, while adults appreciate how comforting and nostalgic it feels. Third, it’s totally customizable. You can switch up the sauce, change the type of pasta, or add extra ingredients based on what you have in your fridge or pantry. Most importantly, it’s the kind of recipe that brings people together around the dinner table with minimal effort from you.

Comfort Food with Convenience

There’s something deeply comforting about baked pasta, and this version takes it to another level with its effortless preparation. As the dish bakes, the sauce thickens and coats the pasta, the meatballs become juicy and tender, and the cheese melts into a golden layer on top. It’s a warm, cheesy hug in casserole form. The convenience of dumping everything into one pan makes it an absolute lifesaver when you’re too tired to cook but still want something delicious and homemade. It’s perfect for busy parents, college students, or anyone who craves comfort food without the cleanup.

Kid-Friendly and Picky-Eater Approved

One of the biggest wins of this recipe is how much kids love it. From the cheesy top to the fun-sized meatballs and the soft, sauce-soaked pasta, it’s everything they want in a meal. There are no unfamiliar vegetables, no strong spices—just familiar flavors packaged in a fun and filling format. If you have picky eaters at home, this casserole is a reliable go-to that won’t require any bargaining at the dinner table. You can even get the kids involved in helping prepare it by letting them stir the ingredients or sprinkle on the cheese, making it a fun and easy family cooking activity.

Freezer Friendly and Meal Prep Ready

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is an excellent recipe to make ahead and store for later. It can be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it great for prepping in the morning and baking fresh in the evening. It also freezes well. You can freeze it either before or after baking. If freezing before, assemble the dish as directed but don’t bake it—cover tightly and freeze for up to three months. When ready to cook, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. For freezing after baking, portion it into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners. It reheats beautifully and tastes just as good the next day.

Endless Customization Options

While the original recipe is simple and delicious, you can easily customize this casserole to suit your preferences or use up ingredients you have on hand. Swap the rotini pasta for penne, shells, or rigatoni. Use turkey or chicken meatballs instead of beef. Stir in a handful of spinach, chopped bell peppers, or mushrooms to sneak in some extra veggies. You can also change the cheese to provolone, Parmesan, or a smoky mozzarella for a different flavor profile. Add Italian herbs like basil, oregano, or crushed red pepper flakes to boost the seasoning. The flexible nature of this dish means you can reinvent it again and again without ever getting bored.

Tips for the Best Results

To get the best texture, make sure to tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil during the first stage of baking. This traps the moisture and ensures the pasta cooks evenly in the sauce. Stirring the casserole halfway through baking helps distribute everything evenly and prevents any dry spots. For a beautiful golden cheese topping, remove the foil during the last few minutes and let the cheese melt and bubble. If the sauce looks a little thick after baking, you can add a splash of water or marinara and give it a stir. Garnishing with chopped fresh basil, parsley, or grated Parmesan cheese adds a fresh, flavorful finish.

What Makes This Recipe Special

What sets Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole apart is how it transforms a few basic ingredients into something that feels like a full, homemade meal. It doesn’t require culinary skills or fancy equipment, yet it delivers rich flavor and satisfying texture. It’s perfect for beginners, busy families, and anyone who wants maximum comfort with minimum effort. This casserole is a reliable favorite that you’ll turn to again and again—not just because it’s easy, but because it truly tastes amazing. It’s proof that good food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Conclusion

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner solution. It’s quick to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and endlessly customizable. With no need to boil pasta or pre-cook ingredients, it turns five simple components into a bubbling, cheesy, hearty meal the whole family will enjoy. It’s kid-approved, freezer-friendly, and makes cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re planning ahead or need a last-minute dinner idea, this recipe delivers comfort, convenience, and crowd-pleasing flavor in every bite. Simple, delicious, and ready to save your dinner routine—this is one dish you’ll keep coming back to.