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This easy Meatball Pasta Casserole is one of those dinners I love for busy nights because everything bakes together right in the casserole dish. It has tender rotini pasta, Italian-style meatballs, marinara sauce, and plenty of melted mozzarella cheese.
There is no need to boil the pasta first, which keeps the prep simple and cuts down on dishes. Just stir everything together, cover, bake, and dinner is ready!
If easy, cheesy dinners are your thing, you should also try my Pizza Sliders or Bacon Chicken Alfredo Crescent Ring.
Why You’ll Love This Meatball Pasta Casserole
This is the kind of recipe I keep around for nights when I need something filling but do not want to spend forever in the kitchen.
- No need to precook the pasta: The rotini cooks right in the casserole dish.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of easy grocery-store ingredients.
- Family-friendly: Pasta, meatballs, marinara, and cheese are always a good combination.
- Easy cleanup: Everything comes together in one 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Great for busy nights: Most of the cooking time is completely hands-off.
For more easy casserole dinners, save my Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole and Onion Chicken Potato Casserole for another night.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients for this easy pasta casserole:
- Rotini pasta: You will use the pasta uncooked.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite jarred marinara sauce.
- Water: This gives the pasta enough liquid to cook right in the casserole.
- Italian-style meatballs: Frozen meatballs work perfectly. Make sure they are thawed before assembling the casserole.
- Italian seasoning: Adds extra flavor to the pasta and sauce.
- Mozzarella cheese: Some goes into the casserole and the rest melts over the top.
How to Make Meatball Pasta Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the uncooked rotini pasta, marinara sauce, water, thawed meatballs, Italian seasoning, and all but ¾ cup of the mozzarella cheese to the baking dish.
- Stir everything together well so the pasta is coated in the sauce and liquid.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Return the casserole to the oven uncovered and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
If you need dinner even faster another night, my Steak Fajita Quesadillas are an easy 10-minute option.
Pro Tips
- Cover the pan tightly. The trapped steam helps the uncooked pasta become tender.
- Stir everything well before baking. Make sure the pasta is coated in the sauce and water.
- Thaw the meatballs first. This helps everything cook evenly in the time listed.
- Check the pasta before serving. Ovens can vary slightly, so make sure the rotini is tender before removing the casserole.
- Let it sit for a few minutes. Giving the casserole a short rest after baking helps the sauce settle before serving.
What to Serve with Meatball Pasta Casserole
This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but I love adding something simple on the side.
Try it with garlic bread, dinner rolls, a green salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli. Something fresh and simple is perfect next to the cheesy pasta and meatballs.
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool, then transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. If the pasta seems a little dry after refrigerating, adding a small spoonful of marinara sauce before reheating can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cook the pasta before making this casserole?
No. The rotini goes into the baking dish uncooked and cooks in the marinara sauce and water while the casserole is covered.
Do the meatballs need to be cooked first?
Use frozen Italian-style meatballs that have been thawed. The casserole then heats them completely while everything bakes together.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
A similar short pasta shape should work, but cooking times and the amount of liquid needed can vary between pasta shapes. Rotini is what this recipe was tested with.
Why does the casserole need to stay covered at first?
Covering the baking dish traps steam and moisture inside, which helps cook the pasta. The foil comes off at the end so the remaining mozzarella can melt over the top.
Can I make this for a potluck?
Yes! This is an easy 9×13 casserole for potlucks, family dinners, or anytime you need a simple pasta dish that can feed several people.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Meatball Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
- 16 oz frozen thawed Italian style meatballs
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray add all of the ingredients except 3/4 cup of the cheese in and stir well. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese bake for an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was a hit with the family. Plus, it was so incredibly quick and easy to make. Perfect for a night when you just can’t spend a ton of time on dinner.
Hi, Julia , your video says bake for 35 minutes at 425 degrees, but the recipe instructions say 25 minutes. Which is correct?
For me, it was 30 minutes, and then back in the oven to make the cheese on top melt, about 10 minutes.