Description
Savory meatball marinara pasta bake delivers pure comfort on a plate, blending Italian-inspired flavors with hearty ingredients. Rich marinara sauce and perfectly seasoned meatballs create a delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 14-ounce package fully cooked miniature meatballs
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 16 ounces (454 grams) package of uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 24 or 25 ounces (680 or 709 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 3 cups water
Cheese and Garnish:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped herbs (basil, oregano, and parsley)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F, positioning the rack in the center.
- Pour marinara sauce and water into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, creating a liquid base for the pasta and meatballs.
- Add uncooked pasta and meatballs to the sauce mixture, gently stirring to ensure even distribution and coating with seasoning.
- Carefully cover the entire dish with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to trap moisture and steam.
- Bake for 35 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb the sauce and cook thoroughly.
- Remove foil and stir the casserole, checking pasta tenderness and sauce consistency.
- If pasta needs additional cooking, return covered dish to oven for a few more minutes until perfectly al dente.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the top of the casserole, creating an even layer.
- Return uncovered dish to oven for 5-10 minutes, watching carefully until cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is completely submerged in liquid to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or crunchy spots.
- Choose lean ground meat for healthier meatballs, reducing overall fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like brown rice or chickpea pasta.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create a more balanced one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg