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Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 75 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • 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 hearty, comforting dish perfect for a quick and easy family dinner. Combining frozen meatballs, tangy diced tomatoes, rich marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, all topped with garlic bread, this casserole offers layers of delicious flavors and textures baked to perfection in one dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs and Sauce

  • 32 oz frozen meatballs
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
  • 24 oz marinara sauce

Cheese and Seasoning

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Garlic Bread

  • 8 slices frozen Texas toast garlic bread

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Add Meatballs: Dump the frozen meatballs evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading them out to form a single layer.
  4. Add Tomatoes: Spoon the drained diced tomatoes evenly over the meatballs to add moisture and flavor.
  5. Add Marinara Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs and diced tomatoes to coat the ingredients.
  6. Add Ricotta Cheese: Spoon the ricotta cheese over the marinara sauce, spreading it out as evenly as possible across the dish.
  7. Season: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning evenly over the ricotta layer to infuse the casserole with herby flavors.
  8. Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly on top to create a gooey, cheesy crust after baking.
  9. Add Garlic Bread: Arrange the slices of frozen Texas toast garlic bread on top of the cheese layer, covering the surface.
  10. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to cook the meatballs and meld the flavors.
  11. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the garlic bread is slightly browned and crisp on top.
  12. Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes to set before serving.
  13. Serve: Slice the casserole, serve hot, and enjoy this delicious, all-in-one meal.

Notes

  • If you prefer, you can substitute fresh meatballs for frozen, adjusting cooking time as needed.
  • Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
  • Feel free to add extra Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes for a spicier twist.
  • For a lower-fat version, use part-skim mozzarella and low-fat ricotta cheeses.
  • This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.

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Find it online: https://yumfusionrecipes.com/dump-and-bake-meatball-casserole-recipe-2/