• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
×
Home » Pasta

Published: Apr 24, 2023 by Kathy

Meatball Pasta Bake

Jump to Recipe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

A casserole dish with pasta and meatballs.

This easy-to-make Meatball Pasta Bake is entirely cooked in the oven, including the pasta! Make with frozen meatballs, mozzarella cheese, penne pasta, and your favorite marinara sauce.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday suppers!

A casserole dish filled with pasta and meatballs.

Penne pasta with meatballs

Meatball pasta bake is a mouthwatering dish that combines the classic flavors of Italian meatballs with the comforting richness of baked pasta. What makes this dish truly unique is that the pasta is baked right in the dish, soaking up all the flavors of the meatballs, sauce, and cheese as it cooks to perfection. It's a one-pot wonder that is easy to make and sure to impress!

Once you've assembled the dish, the oven does most of the work, allowing you to relax while it bakes to perfection.

Meatball pasta bake is a crowd-pleasing dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. It's perfect for gatherings with family and friends or for a cozy weeknight dinner, and it's sure to impress with its comforting flavors and inviting presentation.

It's a perfect option for those seeking hearty comfort food full of delicious flavors!

If you love this idea, but want it without the pasta, check out this delicious recipe for Baked Meatballs.

Key ingredients

Ingredients in small bowls for making a baked pasta.

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

  • Pasta - Choose a hearty pasta like penne, ziti, or rigatoni. The pasta is not cooked prior to adding it to the casserole. It's fully cooked right in the oven!
  • Meatballs - Use fully cooked meatballs. These can be frozen or refrigerated. Pick your favorite kind of meatball or make your own homemade meatballs.
  • Marinara Sauce - Use your favorite kind of marinara sauce. It can be homemade or storebought.
  • Cheese - Fresh mozzarella and parmesan cheese are used in this baked pasta dish. Regular mozzarella can also be used if you can't find fresh mozzarella.
  • Seasoning - Italian seasoning and dried basil are added to give a bit of extra flavor. Fresh basil can also be added as a garnish just before serving

Step-by-step directions

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

  • Place pasta in the bottom of an 8x8-inch casserole dish. Pour marinara sauce and water over the pasta. Stir gently.
  • Add meatballs and chunks of mozzarella
  • Wrap tightly with foil and place in a preheated 400°F oven for 50 minutes
  • Uncover and test pasta. If still a bit firm, cover and return it to the oven for 10 minutes
  • Remove foil, top with parmesan cheese, and return to oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is lightly browned
  • Remove from oven and place foil loosely over the dish and let rest for 15 minutes before serving
  • Top with freshly chopped basil or parsley just before serving
Frozen meatballs with sauce and pasta in a glass dish.
Making a pasta casserole with meatballs and mozzarella cheese.

Recipe tips

  • Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet in the oven to help prevent any mess if your dish overflows
  • Cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the type of dish you've used
  • If using thawed meatballs, baking time should be reduced by about 10 minutes
  • Test your pasta to know when it's fully cooked. Once it's cooked to your liking, uncover the dish, top it with parmesan cheese, and return to the oven to finish.
  • Be certain to allow the pasta dish to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving

Frequently asked questions

Can I use cooked pasta in this meatball pasta bake?

Yes, this recipe uses uncooked pasta, but cooked pasta can be used. Cook pasta to al dente and omit the water in the recipe. Use thawed meatballs. Bake until sauce is bubbly and meatballs are heated through.

Can I make meatball pasta bake ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before and then bake it the next day. Give everything a slight stir before baking so the pasta doesn't stick together.

Serving suggestions

  • Homemade Garlic Breadsticks
  • Green salad with Homemade Lemon Dressing

More delicious pasta dishes

  • Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach
  • Baked Spaghetti
  • Chicken Pasta Bake
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Simple Spaghetti with Butter and Parmesan
  • Italian Pasta Soup
  • Shrimp Sausage Pasta
Pasta and meatballs on a white plate.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious pasta recipes!

  • A ladle filled with crock pot spaghetti sauce.
    Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
  • Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad in a white bowl.
    Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.
    Baked Spaghetti
  • Blackened Chicken Alfredo in a white bowl.
    Blackened Chicken Alfredo
A casserole dish filled with pasta and meatballs.

Meatball Pasta Bake Recipe

Kathy Berget
A comforting one-pot dish that's easy to make and perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
5 from 23 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 340 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Baking Dish - 8 x 8 inch
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 ounces ziti pasta
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 20 Italian style meatballs (fully cooked and frozen)
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella (cubed or shredded mozzarella)
  • 3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Place pasta in the bottom of a lightly greased 8x8-inch casserole dish. Pour marinara sauce and water and seasoning over the pasta. Stir gently so the water is fully mixed into the sauce. Flatten pasta so it is submerged.
    8 ounces ziti pasta, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 ½ cups water, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Add meatballs and chunks of mozzarella
    4 ounces fresh mozzarella, 20 Italian style meatballs
  • Wrap tightly with foil and place in a preheated 400°F oven for 50 minutes
  • Uncover and test pasta. If still a bit firm, cover and return to oven for 10 minutes
  • Remove foil, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and return to oven for 10-15 minutes until the top is lightly browned
    3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
  • Remove from oven and place foil loosely over the dish and let rest for 15 minutes before serving
  • Top with freshly chopped basil or parsley just before serving, optional

Notes

  • Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet in the oven to help prevent any mess if your dish overflows
  • Cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the type of dish you've used
  • If using thawed meatballs, baking time should be reduced by about 10 minutes
  • Test your pasta to know when it's fully cooked. Once it's cooked to your liking, uncover the dish, top it with parmesan cheese, and return to the oven to finish.
  • Be certain to allow the pasta dish to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 17gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 1117mgPotassium: 522mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 757IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

More Pasta

  • Orecchiette with sausage and spinach in a large skillet.
    Orecchiette with Sausage and Spinach
  • Baked tortellini with meat and sauce on a white plate.
    Baked Tortellini
  • Pesto Orzo Salad with tomatoes, spinach and mozzarella in a large bowl.
    Pesto Orzo Salad
  • A pan filled with Shrimp Sausage Pasta.
    Shrimp Sausage Pasta

Reader Interactions

5 from 23 votes (23 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

More about me →

Grilling Time

  • Skewered shrimp on a plate.
    Honey Lime Shrimp
  • Grilled ribs on a bed of lettuce.
    Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers on a white dinner plate.
    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • Flatbread rounds on a brown paper bag.
    Grilled Flatbread
  • Grilled lemon chicken breast on a plate with baby potatoes and a green salad.
    Honey Lemon Chicken
  • A glass jar filled with an orange glaze with jalapenos.
    Jalapeno Apricot Sauce
  • A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.
    Beer Can Chicken on Grill

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Banana Oatmeal Muffins
  • Breakfast sausage cooked in the oven.
    Breakfast Sausage in Oven
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • Gravy pouring over a pile of mashed potatoes.
    Homemade Brown Gravy
  • Crispy fish cakes on a white platter with lemon wedges.
    Fish Cakes
  • Pasta twirled around a fork and in a large white bowl.
    Garlic Butter Pasta

Cookbooks

Two cookbooks piled on a counter.

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Disclosure Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.