Meatball Pasta Bake: Easy Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 1.5 pounds frozen cooked meatballs, thawed
• 2 (28 ounce) jars prepared marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 0.67 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the ziti pasta. Cook according to package directions, subtracting 3 minutes from the recommended time (approximately 8 minutes). Drain the pasta thoroughly.
2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
3. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and ricotta cheese until well combined. Incorporate the cooked pasta, then season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder for added flavor.
4. Spread a layer of sauce (without meatballs) across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. Add a second layer of sauce with meatballs, followed by 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of 1 cup mozzarella cheese, then top with the remaining sauce and meatball mixture. Finish with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is fully melted, about 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese begins to turn golden brown, approximately 10 to 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy this delicious meatball pasta bake!

Nutrition

• Calories: 701 kcal
• Fat Content: 26 g
• Fiber Content: 7 g
• Sodium Content: 1277 mg
• Protein Content: 38 g
• Cholesterol Content: 108 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 77 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g