Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe
This Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole is a hearty and easy-to-make comfort food recipe perfect for family dinners. Layers of frozen meatballs, diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese baked together with garlic Texas toast on top create a delicious and satisfying one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meatball and Sauce Layer
- 32 oz frozen meatballs
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- 24 oz marinara sauce
Cheese Layer
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Garlic Bread
- 8 slices frozen Texas toast garlic bread
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Generously spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Add Meatballs: Dump the frozen meatballs evenly into the baking dish, spreading them out for even cooking.
- Add Diced Tomatoes: Spoon the drained diced tomatoes evenly over the layer of meatballs.
- Pour Marinara Sauce: Evenly pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and tomatoes to coat the layers.
- Add Ricotta Cheese: Spoon dollops of ricotta cheese on top of the marinara and spread it as evenly as possible for a creamy layer.
- Sprinkle Italian Seasoning: Evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning over the ricotta layer for added flavor.
- Top with Mozzarella: Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish to create a melty cheese topping.
- Add Garlic Bread: Arrange 8 slices of frozen Texas toast garlic bread on top of the cheese layer.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Brown the Garlic Bread: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the garlic bread is lightly browned and crisp.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to set.
- Serve: Slice the casserole into portions and enjoy your hearty, cheesy meatball bake!
Notes
- Ensure the frozen meatballs are fully thawed if your oven runs cool for even baking.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, add red pepper flakes along with Italian seasoning.
- You can use fresh bread slices if frozen Texas toast is unavailable, but adjust the baking time accordingly.
- This casserole reheats well and can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lower-fat option, use part-skim mozzarella and reduced-fat ricotta cheese.
