Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe

I’ve gotta say, I stumbled on this crazy meatball macaroni casserole where i just tossed frozen meatballs, spaghetti sauce, two types of cream soup, uncooked pasta, basil, garlic powder, and a bunch of other goodies into one dish, and trust me it’s become my go-to meal when i need something ultra-comforting and a bit messy.

I love my Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole recipe, it’s a neat combination of protein and carbs. I think the mix of frozen meatballs, spaghetti sauce, cream soups, macaroni and a touch of mozzarella along with basil and garlic powder makes it a hearty, balanced meal.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

• Frozen meatballs are loaded with protein and make the dish hearty and convenient.
• Spaghetti sauce gives a tangy, sweet kick while addin vitamins and rich tomato flavor.
• Cream of mushroom and celery soups bring creamy texture and a savory taste boost.
• Elbow macaroni is your go-to carb that provides a filling, comforting base for the meal.
• Mozzarella cheese melts perfectly, adding gooey richness and a little extra protein.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen meatballs
• 1 (26 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of celery soup
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.

2. In a large casserole dish, dump in the frozen meatballs, spaghetti sauce, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of celery soup.

3. Pour in 1/2 cup water and stir well so all the ingredients mix together.

4. Add the 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni into the dish and mix everything up.

5. Sprinkle in the 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and add salt and pepper to taste. Give it another stir.

6. Cover the dish with foil and put it in the oven.

7. Bake for about 35 minutes to let the pasta cook and the flavors meet each other.

8. Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

9. Bake uncovered for an extra 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10. Let it cool a few minutes before serving, and enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven – to heat and bake the dish at 350°F
2. Large casserole dish – to mix all the ingredients together and cook everything in one go
3. Measuring cup – to accurately measure out the 1/2 cup water
4. Stirring spoon – for mixing in the sauces, soups and spices evenly
5. Aluminum foil – to cover the dish while baking so the pasta cooks properly
6. Timer – to keep track of both the 35 minute covered bake and the extra 10 minutes uncovered
7. Oven mitts – to safely take the hot dish out of the oven once its done
8. Serving utensil – to help dish out the meal once it has cooled enough to serve

FAQ

• Q: How long should I bake the casserole?
  
  A: You’ll wanna bake it at 375°F for about 45 to 55 minutes, just enough time to let the pasta cook and the meatballs get all heated through.
• Q: Can I use fresh meatballs instead of the frozen ones?
  
  A: Yeah, you can use fresh meatballs, but you might need to adjust the cooking time to make sure they’re fully cooked. Just keep an eye on it.
• Q: Is it okay to swap the soups with something else?
  
  A: Sure, if you’re not a fan of cream of mushroom or celery, you can try making your own sauce or use a different kind of soup. It might change the flavor a bit though.
• Q: Can I substitute elbow macaroni with another type of pasta?
  
  A: Yes, definitely. Pasta like penne or fusilli will work too, but keep in mind that different shapes might affect the overall texture of the dish.
• Q: Should I cover the casserole during baking?
  
  A: Usually i wouldn’t cover it so the top can get a little browned from the cheese. If you cover it, you might have to uncover near the end to get that nice top.
• Q: How do i know if the pasta is done?
  
  A: When the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid from the soups and water, it’s ready. You can always give it a little taste to be sure.

Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of the frozen meatballs, you can use bite-size turkey or beef meatballs if you prefer a different flavor.
• If you dont have jarred spaghetti sauce, try making a simple tomato sauce with canned tomatoes and a few spices.
• You can substitute the cream of mushroom and cream of celery soups with a homemade white sauce, using heavy cream and a bit of flour and butter.
• Swap the elbow macaroni for small shells or fusilli if you want a change in texture.
• If you run out of mozzarella cheese, provolone or even mild cheddar works pretty well too.

Pro Tips

Here are a few pro tips to help you make this dish even better:

1. Try adding extra veggies like chopped bell peppers or mushrooms when you mix in the sauces for a little extra flavor and crunch.
2. Taste your sauce before adding the pasta so you can adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
3. Make sure you cover your dish completely during most of the bake so that the pasta cooks evenly, and then uncover it later to get that cheesy top nice and bubbly.
4. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after you pull it from the oven to help the flavors settle and make it easier to serve.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Get a big casserole dish and dump in your frozen meatballs, spaghetti sauce, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of celery soup. Then pour in that 1/2 cup of water and give everything a good stir until it all looks mixed. Next, add the 2 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni and stir it in too. Now sprinkle in your dried basil, garlic powder, and a bit of salt and pepper (taste it if you need to adjust). Cover the dish with foil and pop it in the oven for about 35 minutes so the pasta cooks and the flavors come together.

After those 35 minutes, take the foil off and scatter a cup of mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. When it’s done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your meal!