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