Description

Ready for the ultimate comfort food? This Meatball Casserole is your go-to dish for an easy dinner, quick meal prep, or a cozy family gathering. Juicy meatballs, al dente rotini pasta, and rich marinara sauce are layered in a casserole dish and blanketed with gooey, golden cheese. It’s the kind of satisfying, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings everyone to the table. Whether you’re hunting for dinner ideas, a simple weeknight solution, or even a healthy snack alternative with lean meatballs, this dish delivers on flavor, texture, and heartwarming vibes. Perfect for fans of easy recipes, food ideas that stretch, and anyone who loves a little Italian-inspired magic.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound rotini pasta
2 cups marinara sauce
20–24 cooked meatballs (thawed if frozen)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Optional Add-Ins:

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 small onion, diced and sautéed

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini until just shy of al dente. Drain.
In a large bowl, toss the pasta with marinara sauce and any optional seasonings.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the sauced pasta evenly across the bottom.
Arrange the meatballs on top of the pasta.
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the meatballs.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes