One Pan Meatball Casserole is one of those dump it and forget it family favorites that everyone loves. It makes a great freezer meal and I've adapted it for the slow cooker and instant pot.
One pan dishes are the kind of recipes that motivate me to make dinner. I love the thought of few dishes and easy prep! Some of my favorite one pan meals include Easy Beef Stroganoff, Cottage Pie, and One Pan Jambalaya.
This is one of those magical dinners where uncooked noodles, sauce, and meatballs are all added to a casserole dish and baked together in the same pan! It doesn't get much easier then that, and it's the type of warm and comforting meal that everyone in your family will love!
Ingredients you'll Need:
- Uncooked ziti pasta: or penne noodles
- Marinara sauce: homemade or store-bought
- Milk: makes it creamy, but additional water or broth can be substituted.
- Water
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt
- Cooked meatballs: I like to use my homemade chicken meatballs.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional toppings: parmesan cheese and fresh chopped herbs (such as basil, oregano, and parsley for garnish)
How to Make Meatball Casserole:
- Mix. In a large baking dish stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, milk, spices and meatballs.
- Bake. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 425 degrees F for 40 minutes.
- Stir and check. Check the pasta—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.
- Add cheese. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake uncovered at 425 degrees F. for 5-10 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving, to allow the sauce to thicken up.
Want to make a smaller batch? Cut the recipe in half and bake in an 8’’ or similar size dish.
Can I use frozen meatballs? I suggest thawing the meatballs first, so that everything bakes in as quick of time as possible. If you bake the dish with frozen meatballs it will take longer to bake.
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 Instant Pot version. https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/instant-pot-penne-pasta-with-meatballs/
Make Ahead Instructions: This meatball casserole 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 meatball casserole 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.
CONSIDER TRYING THESE POPULAR DINNER RECIPES:
- Beef Stroganoff
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Crock Pot Baked Ziti
- Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas
- Italian Grilled Cheese
- Gourmet Baked Mac N Cheese with Bacon
- Crispy BBQ Chicken Wraps
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Recipe
One Pan Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz. package uncooked ziti pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Meatballs , fully cooked, thawed
- 2 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.
Notes
Nutrition
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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Would I need to adjust the cooking time if I’m using pre-cooked turkey meatballs? Can’t wait to try this 🙂
The time was perfect and no left overs, and was asked to make it again
This needs much more liquid. Took 20 minutes longer. If I make it again I’ll cook the pasta for about 15 minutes before baking.
Loved the idea of small number ingredients, quick to put together, one pan dish. Made ahead of baking time except for adding pasta (did that just before baking). Used Simek frozen Italian meatballs ( yummy), thawed and slightly browned. Added chopped onion and diced red/green peppers, and garlic to tomato/basil Botticelli sauce. Did add bit more sauce than called for. Cut back slightly on pasta amount and added 1 cup milk and 1 1/3 cup water. Cooked 375 for 30 minutes, stirred, 425 for another 30, topped with cheese for 5 minutes. Was huge hit for family. Will make again. Thanks for recipe and tips.
I’m going to make this it looks so delicious 😋
Oh my God this was the best meatball casserole I’ve ever had we had Jessica formicola’s cheesy meatball casserole and it was the worst thing I’ve ever eaten what a waste of money yours is so much better thank you for such a wonderful recipe
Made this and added some crushed tomatoes and green onion. Used Italian seasoning and Basil in addition to salt and pepper. Was really good and easy! Used frozen meatballs with no problem. Did cook a few minutes longer.
Great recipe. Easy to make and family was satisfied!
This was the easiest and best recipe I’ve made in a long time. There were only 4 of us and we ate almost the whole thing. Served a salad on the side. This is definitely a 5-star recipe.
This was not good. No flavor. Why 2 cups of water? Should have more marina sauce. Thought about it while I was making it but, followed the recipe. Do not us this recipe.!!!!!! Make or buy a good sauce. Put in crockpot with your meatballs couple hours . Make pasta separately. Put in oven 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Top with Mozzarella cheese and cook another 10 minutes. Done. Enjoy!