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Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 24 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 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

Scale

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

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the casserole dish properly.
  2. Prepare the 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 baking dish to create the base layer.
  4. Add tomatoes: Spoon the drained diced tomatoes evenly over the meatballs to add moisture and flavor.
  5. Pour marinara sauce: Evenly pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and tomatoes, ensuring they are well coated.
  6. Spread ricotta cheese: Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese over the marinara and spread it out evenly to add creaminess.
  7. Sprinkle Italian seasoning: Evenly distribute the Italian seasoning on top to enhance flavor with aromatic herbs.
  8. Add shredded mozzarella: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly on top to create a cheesy crust.
  9. Top with garlic bread: Arrange the slices of frozen Texas toast garlic bread over the cheese layer.
  10. Cover and bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to heat through.
  11. 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.
  12. Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to settle and make slicing easier.
  13. 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.

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