Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

With just one dish to wash and a handful of simple ingredients, you can treat your entire family to this hearty meatball casserole. It has tender meatballs nestled in a bed of rotini pasta, smothered in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Casseroles are seriously the best. They’re so easy to make but are always a satisfying meal! If you love this meatball casserole, here are a few more recipes you should try: chicken parmesan casserole, baked chicken spaghetti, and Swiss chicken bake!

Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Easy Meatball Casserole

Looking for the perfect dinner solution that’s not only delicious but also hassle-free? Look no further than this meatball casserole recipe! It seriously is as tasty as it is effortless. Just layer your meatballs, noodles, marinara, and a generous helping of cheese in a baking dish. Then all you have to do is let the oven work its magic!

I can’t even put into words how amazing this casserole is. It’s the perfect dinner for when you’re craving something hearty and savory with that golden, bubbly cheese on top we all love. The other great thing about this meatball casserole recipe is that you use frozen meatballs, so prep is a breeze! Trust me, your kids will be asking you to make this for dinner all. The. Time.

Don’t Worry!

This recipe is Picky Eater Approved!

Meatball Casserole Ingredients

It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to put meatball casserole together. This makes it great for feeding a crowd! See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

  • Rotini Pasta: A twisty pasta that’s fun to eat and captures the delicious sauce so well! Feel free to swap this out for any other type of pasta you like. Penne and rigatoni are great options.
  • Frozen Meatballs: Frozen meatballs make this casserole so easy to prepare!
  • Marinara Sauce: For some tangy, savory goodness. Make your own or use your favorite jarred kind!
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella is super gooey and melty. The perfect topping for this casserole.
  • Parmesan Cheese: A dash of this cheese adds a salty, tasty kick to the dish.
  • Dried Italian Seasoning: A mix of herbs and spices that makes everything taste a little more delicious.

Cheesy Meatball Casserole Recipe

Get ready for meatball casserole to be a new favorite with your family! It’s so simple that you’ll find yourself making it again and again.

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cook Your Pasta: Cook and drain the pasta according to package instructions.
  3. Add Sauce: Pour 1/2 cup marinara into a 13X9-inch casserole dish and then spread it evenly to coat the bottom of the dish.
  4. Add Pasta and Cheese: Add the pasta to the casserole dish then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta.
  5. Add Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs on top of the cheese and pasta.
  6. Top With Sauce: Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs.
  7. Repeat: Top the sauce with the remaining mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, then sprinkle with the dried Italian seasonings.
  8. Bake and Enjoy: Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly!

Make it Ahead!

Prepare the casserole a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve for a convenient make-ahead dinner.

Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

Make this meatball casserole your own with these simple tips and tricks!

  • Fresh Marinara Sauce: While jarred marinara sauce is convenient, making your own from fresh tomatoes and herbs can take the flavor to a whole new level. Find my full recipe here!
  • Spaghetti and Meatball Casserole: Swap out the rotini for spaghetti noodles! It adds a classic twist to the dish.
  • Make it Low-Carb: For a keto meatball casserole, use zucchini noodles instead of rotini!
  • Add Fresh Herbs: Garnish your meatball casserole with fresh basil or parsley for some extra flavor and the perfect presentation!
Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

Storing Leftovers

Once it’s cooked, your meatball casserole will last in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. To keep it fresh, store it in an airtight container. To reheat, cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Freeze Meatball Casserole for Later

Your unbaked casserole will last for a month or two covered in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed! It’s that easy! Meatball casserole is great for meal prepping and making dinnertime a cinch.

Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (4)

Love Meatballs? Try These Other Recipes!

Dinner

Ricotta Meatballs

1 hr 10 mins

Soup

Delicious Meatball Soup

30 mins

Dinner

Classic Homemade Meatballs

35 mins

Dinner

The Best Meatball Sub

15 mins

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (9)

Save

PinPrint

Meatball Casserole

By: Alyssa Rivers

With just one dish to wash and a handful of simple ingredients, you can treat your entire family to this hearty meatball casserole. It has tender meatballs nestled in a bed of rotini pasta, smothered in marinara sauce, and topped with gooey mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces rotini pasta, cooked and drained
  • 26 ounces frozen meatballs
  • 32 ounces marinara sauce, homemade or jarred
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Cook and drain the pasta according to package instructions.

  • Pour 1/2 cup marinara into a 13X9-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly to coat the bottom of the dish.

  • Add the pasta to the casserole dish then sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta.

  • Place the frozen meatballs on top of the cheese and pasta.

  • Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the meatballs.

  • Top the sauce with the remaining mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, then sprinkle with the dried Italian seasonings.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 664kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 39gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1089mgPotassium: 943mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 954IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 291mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Italian American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

More Ideas

Pantry Staples

Homemade Peanut Butter

5 mins

Salmon

Air Fryer Salmon Bites

31 mins

Sandwiches

Cuban Sliders

40 mins

Meatball Casserole Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay make meatball sauce? ›

To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a pan and gently fry the shallots, garlic and chilli for 2-3 minutes until soft. Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine, then add the tinned tomatoes along with the basil, oregano and some seasoning.

What is in casserole? ›

In the United States, a casserole or hot dish is typically a baked food with three main components: pieces of meat (such as chicken or ground meat) or fish (such as tuna) or other protein (such as beans or tofu), various chopped or canned vegetables (such as green beans or peas), and a starchy binder (such as flour, ...

Do meatballs get more tender the longer they cook in sauce? ›

The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become. 3. Concentration of Flavors: Simmering at a low temperature for an extended period also encourages the sauce to reduce and thicken.

Should you cook meatballs before putting in sauce? ›

You can brown the uncooked meatballs in a sauté pan before adding them to the sauce. You can brown them in the oven. Or you can skip browning altogether and put the raw meatballs straight into the sauce to cook.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5830

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.