🥄 Instructions (Step-by-Step, With Tips)

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Position the oven rack in the center for even cooking.

Step 2: Layer the Ingredients

Grab a large 9×13-inch baking dish (glass or ceramic works best).
Dump the entire box of uncooked pasta straight into the baking dish.
(No need to cook the pasta — it will bake and soften right in the sauce and water!)
Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the dry pasta.
Then pour the water or broth over everything.
(It might look like a lot of liquid at this stage, but the pasta needs it to cook properly.)
Give everything a gentle stir to coat the pasta pieces as best as you can.
(You don’t need it perfect — just make sure the pasta isn’t all stuck together.)

Step 3: Add the Meatballs

Arrange the frozen meatballs evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
It’s fine if the meatballs sink a little — they’ll cook beautifully along with the pasta.
(No need to thaw the meatballs — that’s the beauty of this dish!)

Step 4: Season

Sprinkle Italian seasoning evenly over the whole casserole.
If you like extra flavor, sprinkle a little garlic powder too.
Optional: Lightly season with salt and pepper, depending on your sauce’s flavor.

Step 5: Cover and Bake

Cover tightly with aluminum foil. This traps steam and helps cook the pasta perfectly.
Bake covered for 35 minutes.

🔔 Tip: At this stage, all you need to do is set a timer and walk away.
Go relax, fold some laundry, or binge-watch an episode of your favorite show! 🛋️🍿

Step 6: Uncover, Add Cheese, and Bake Again

After 35 minutes, remove the foil carefully (steam will escape!).
Stir the casserole gently — this helps redistribute the sauce and ensure nothing sticks.
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
Return the dish to the oven uncovered, and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes.
- Bake until the cheese is fully melted, golden, and bubbly.

✨ The top should look gooey, melty, and slightly browned around the edges — absolute perfection!

Step 7: Let It Rest

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- This helps the sauce thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve without falling apart.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top for color and a little fresh herb aroma (optional but pretty!).
Serve hot with extra Parmesan on the side if you like things cheesy! 🧀

Pair it with a simple green salad or some garlic bread for a full, hearty meal.

🧡 Why This Recipe Works So Well:

Everything cooks together: No need to pre-cook pasta or thaw meatballs. Everything absorbs maximum flavor.
One-pan meal: Fewer dishes to wash afterward.
Customizable: Switch up sauces, cheese types, pasta shapes, or even the meatball flavor.
Family-friendly: Kids and adults alike absolutely love it!

🌟 Variations to Try:

Tex-Mex Style: Use salsa instead of marinara, add a can of black beans and corn, and top with cheddar and jalapeños!
Creamy Alfredo: Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce, use chicken meatballs, and add spinach.
Spicy Version: Stir some crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce for a little heat.

🥳 That’s it! You just made the easiest, most delicious Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole ever!

Would you also like me to write a cute little story-style intro if you want to post this recipe somewhere, like “the kind of cozy meal Grandma would have made if she’d had a frozen meatball stash”? 😄🌼
It would make it feel even more homey! Want it? 🍴✨