One bite in, my husband said, “Whatever this is, don’t lose it.” I printed the recipe immediately

Everyone knows dump cakes are easy—just throw everything in and bake. The same idea works perfectly for dinner. This Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole is comforting, satisfying, and sure to make everyone at the table happy.

Even picky eaters will want another helping. It’s also great for making ahead and freezing, which makes it ideal for busy nights or meal prepping. When you don’t feel like cooking or ordering fast food, this casserole is a simple solution: combine, bake, and enjoy.

Dump-and-Bake Meatball Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 bag frozen meatballs, thawed
• 1 jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 3 cups water
• 1 box bowtie pasta
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
   Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix everything together
   In a deep oven-safe dish or skillet, combine the meatballs, sauce, water, pasta, and Italian seasoning. Stir well.
3. Bake covered
   Cover the dish and bake for 35 minutes.
4. Add the cheese
   Remove the cover, sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top, and bake for another 10–15 minutes until melted and bubbly.
5. Let it rest and serve
   Allow the casserole to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.