Description
This Meatball Casserole is a delightful mix of tender pasta, savory meatballs, and gooey cheese. It’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making it the ideal comfort food for families or anyone looking for an effortless yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried pasta (like ziti, rotini, penne, etc)
- 28 to 32 ounces frozen meatballs, thawed
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
- fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- In the baking dish, combine the dried pasta, thawed meatballs, marinara sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Check if the pasta is cooked to al dente; if not, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once the pasta is al dente, remove the dish from the oven and top with freshly shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Return the dish to the oven uncovered for about 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to use your favorite dried pasta.
For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed vegetables or different spices according to your taste.
This dish can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg