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!
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
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
How to make it
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
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
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.
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
- Chicken Pasta Bake
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Simple Spaghetti with Butter and Parmesan
- Italian Pasta Soup
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!
Meatball Pasta Bake
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 mozzarella4 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 browned3 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.
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