If you’re craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug, the Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine tender, flavorful meatballs bathed in a rich marinara sauce, layered with creamy ricotta, bubbly mozzarella, and finished with crispy garlic bread that doubles as the perfect topping. This dish combines simplicity with hearty satisfaction, making it an absolute winner for busy weeknights or casual gatherings where you want big flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are super simple but each one plays a crucial role in creating that unforgettable balance of flavors and textures in our casserole. From the savory meatballs providing the star protein to the melty cheeses and zesty seasonings, everything comes together effortlessly.
- 32 oz frozen meatballs: Convenient and juicy, they form the hearty base of the dish.
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained: Adds a fresh, slightly tangy bite without excess moisture.
- 24 oz marinara sauce: Brings rich tomato flavor and a luscious sauce to coat the meatballs.
- 1 cup ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, it balances the acidity and adds lusciousness.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: A flavorful blend of herbs that elevates the entire casserole with an aromatic punch.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to create gooey, golden topping perfection.
- 8 slices frozen Texas toast garlic bread: Adds crunch and garlicky goodness right on top, replacing the need for a side bread.
How to Make Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, generously spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Layer the Meatballs
Dump the frozen meatballs straight into the baking dish and spread them out evenly. This no-fuss step sets the foundation for all the flavors to mingle during baking.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Sauce
Next, spoon the drained diced tomatoes evenly over the meatballs. Follow that with a generous pour of marinara sauce, ensuring every meatball gets coated in juicy tomato goodness.
Step 4: Dollop Ricotta Cheese
Using a spoon, spread the ricotta cheese across the marinara layer as evenly as possible. This creamy addition creates a lovely richness that melts into the sauce while baking.
Step 5: Season and Cheese It Up
Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the ricotta layer. Then cover everything with the shredded mozzarella cheese, which will melt into a delightfully gooey, golden top layer.
Step 6: Top with Garlic Bread and Bake
Arrange the frozen Texas toast garlic bread slices on top of the cheese. Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap moisture and bake for 50 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 7: Finish Baking Uncovered
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes to let the garlic bread toast up to a perfect golden brown with a slight crunch.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Take your casserole out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier and less messy. Slice it up, serve, and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley adds a pop of color and brightness that contrasts beautifully with the rich casserole. A little extra grated Parmesan on top goes a long way to add salty, nutty depth as well.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a complete meal, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies can lighten the plate and add texture variety. A simple Caesar salad or roasted broccoli makes for a balanced dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the casserole family-style directly from the baking dish with plenty of plates and napkins for a relaxed atmosphere. Alternatively, scoop portions into shallow bowls for a cozy, comfort-food vibe perfect for cozy nights in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover any leftover Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, perfect for easy lunches or dinners later in the week.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Before baking, assemble the dish, cover it tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen but increase baking time slightly until heated through and bubbly.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, pop a portion in the microwave until warmed through or use your oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, covered with foil to prevent drying out. Adding a few extra minutes uncovered at the end will help keep that garlic bread crispy.
FAQs
Can I use fresh meatballs instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh meatballs work wonderfully; just be sure they’re fully cooked before layering in the casserole to ensure even baking and safety.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese?
If ricotta isn’t your favorite, cottage cheese is a great substitute for similar texture and creaminess, or you can omit it and add a bit more mozzarella instead.
Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?
Yes! You can replace the meatballs with plant-based or vegetable-filled meatballs, maintaining all the other ingredients as is for a satisfying vegetarian option.
Can I prepare this casserole in advance for a party?
Definitely. Assemble everything, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it easy to serve a crowd with minimal day-of effort.
How spicy is this recipe?
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe is mild and family-friendly, but you can add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or sprinkle some on top before baking if you want to turn up the heat.
Final Thoughts
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe is the ultimate comfort meal that balances convenience with incredible flavor. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again, whether for a busy weeknight or to impress friends with minimal effort. Trust me, once you dig in, it’s hard not to keep coming back for seconds!
Print
Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a simple and hearty baked dish combining frozen meatballs, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella topped with garlic bread for a comforting meal perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Meatball Casserole
- 32 oz frozen meatballs
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Topping
- 8 slices frozen Texas toast garlic bread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole dish properly.
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add meatballs: Dump the frozen meatballs evenly into the baking dish to create the base layer.
- Add tomatoes: Spoon the drained diced tomatoes evenly over the meatballs to add moisture and flavor.
- Pour marinara sauce: Evenly pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and tomatoes, ensuring they are well coated.
- Spread ricotta cheese: Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over the marinara and spread it out evenly to add creaminess.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning: Evenly distribute the Italian seasoning on top to enhance flavor with aromatic herbs.
- Add shredded mozzarella: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top to create a cheesy crust.
- Top with garlic bread: Arrange the slices of frozen Texas toast garlic bread over the cheese layer.
- Cover and bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to heat through.
- Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the garlic bread is slightly browned and crispy on top.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to settle and make slicing easier.
- Serve: Slice the casserole and serve warm, enjoying the layers of meatballs, cheese, and garlic bread.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen meatballs with fresh or homemade ones if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before pouring.
- If you like, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before adding garlic bread for extra flavor.
- Make sure to drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
