The Best Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

Dump and bake meatball casserole was on my menu for my family of five pretty much all last summer. It's super quick and easy to make. The warm and hearty pasta sauce is marinated over the meatballs and penne noodles, making it the ultimate weekday or weeknight dinner for your family. Did I also mention that this meal is under twenty dollars and can easily feed a family of 5 to 6!! Well, enough of the small talk. Let’s jump right into making this dump-and-bake meatball casserole!

Quick and Easy

You're going to love this delicious dump-and-bake meatball casserole! It’s quick and easy. I mean, who doesn’t love that, right?! This recipe pairs extremely well with my cheesy bacon garlic bread. Here are a few key points on this delicious dump-and-bake casserole.

It’s loaded with all of the flavors you know and loves, plus a special surprise- it’s made with your choice of any tasty meatballs.

Throw everything into one baking dish for an easy dinner ready in no time!

In just 30 minutes or less, you can have a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy. And the best part? Cleanup is a breeze since it’s made in one pan only! So, what are you waiting for? Let's get cooking!

Ingredients

This dump-and-bake meatball casserole can be prepared in minutes using frozen, pre-cooked meatballs and other simple ingredients. I have listed all of the ingredients below for you.

Meatballs (Thawed)
Pasta Sauce
Chicken Broth
Penne Noodles
Oregano seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Mozzarella cheese
Ricotta Cheeese

How To Make This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole

Any time of year is the perfect excuse to get cozy with a meatball casserole. This meatball dump-and-bake casserole is a simple and delicious dinner that you can make with just ten ingredients.

Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Spray your pan with non-stick spray.

Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.

Spray your pan with non-stick spray.

Next, add meatballs, pasta sauce, chicken broth, and penne noodles. Season to your liking and stir everything together well.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and place a lid or aluminum foil over the top of the baking. Allow baking for 30 to 35 minutes or until pasta is cooked.

Top with ricotta and enjoy

Substitutions

The great thing I love about this recipe is the endless possibilities! If you’re looking for a creative way to cook meatball dump casserole, you don’t have to look any further!

Substituting meatballs with plant-based vegan meatballs is an easy and delicious way to keep non-meat eaters happy.

You can use a variety of sauces like pasta, barbecue, or teriyaki and try different types of cheese like Parmesan, Gouda, mozzarella, and more.

The best part is that you’ll juggle many flavors and textures simultaneously! Plus, it keeps cleanup to a minimum - who doesn't love a quick and easy clean up meal?

Variations

Spicy- Make this recipe with a kick. Add some amazing spices and herbs. I choose to keep things simple because my three children are picky eaters.

Upgrade To a Deluxe- Add onions and sweet bell peppers to kick this recipe up. I sometimes even add breadcrumbs to my dump-and-bake meatball casserole.

Equipment

Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, the right equipment is essential for producing mouthwatering meatball dump casserole. To make sure your meatball dump casserole is cooked to perfection, you will need an oven-safe baking dish with a size that depends on the number of people you plan to feed. In addition, it will be helpful to have meatball tongs or forks that allow you to rotate and arrange meatballs evenly throughout the dish during baking.

Lastly, don’t forget a sturdy serving spoon and spatula, which are invaluable when it comes time to scoop up that delicious casserole! With the right tools, your meatball dump casserole will surely be the talk of the family.

Storage

If you're looking for a convenient way to store leftovers, dump and bake casserole is the perfect option. It can be easily sealed in an airtight container, making it ideal for keeping food fresh and accessible. Plus, you can use any remaining ingredients that won’t fit into a traditional recipe by adding them to the meatball dump casserole and turning it into a new dish. This is a simple but convenient way of maximizing your leftovers without worrying about them going stale.

Top Tips

The key to having perfect meatballs in the casserole is to use lean meat and choose a flavorful combination of spices for your meatballs. The spices I put together are perfect, but you can use your choice.

In addition, if you plan to use vegetables in this dump-and-bake meatball casserole, choose vegetables that will hold their shape during baking, like broccoli or carrots, and feel free to experiment with different types of sauces, as I mentioned above.

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