One-Pan Meatball Casserole

One-Pan Meatball Casserole

A hearty baked pasta dish that brings together tender meatballs, ziti, marinara, and plenty of melted mozzarella in one baking dish. It is designed for straightforward preparation and can also be adapted for advance preparation, freezing, or slow-cooker cooking.

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Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine: American / Italian-inspired

Keyword: baked meatballs, dump-and-bake meatball casserole, One-Pan Meatball Casserole

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 50

Total Time: 1

Servings:

Ingredients

16 oz. package uncooked ziti pasta
24 ounces marinara sauce
1 cup milk
2 cup water
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Dried oregano
1 tsp salt
24 oz Meatballs, fully cooked, thawed
3 cups shredded mozzarella, (or Italian blend cheese)Optional: Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs (such as basil, oregano, and parsley for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, milk, spices and meatballs.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Uncover; stir. Check the pasta for doneness. We want it to be al dente (firm, but almost perfectly cooked). If it’s still too hard, cover the dish and return to the oven for a few minutes.
Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake uncovered for 5-10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving, to allow the sauce to thicken up.

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Smaller batch: Cut the recipe in half and bake in an 8’’ or similar size dish.

Make Ahead: This recipe can be assembled completely the night before, but I wouldn’t do it any sooner than that or the noodles may have a mushy texture after baking.

Freezing Instructions: Prepare the recipe up until baking. Cover with a double layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking, or to bake from froze, baked covered for 1 hour and 30 minutes, and uncovered for 15-20 minutes longer.

Slow Cooker: Prepare as directed, but leave out the milk and add an additional 24 oz jar of marinara sauce. Be sure the ziti noodles are covered with sauce. Cook on HIGH for 2 - 2 ½ hours, or LOW for 3 ⅓ -4 hours or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top during the last few minutes of cooking and return the lid to allow the cheese to melt. Optional-place under broiler for a few minutes to toast the cheesy top.

Instant Pot: Here is my very similar recipe for Instant Pot Penne Pasta with Meatballs.

Nutrition

Calories: 558kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 87mg, Sodium: 935mg, Potassium: 697mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 617IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 221mg, Iron: 3mg

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