The Easiest One-Pan Pasta Dinner
This One Pan Meatball Casserole is the ultimate busy-night dinner! 🍝✨ Everything cooks together in one dish—tender pasta, saucy marinara, juicy meatballs, and melty mozzarella on top. Easy prep, minimal dishes, and total comfort food! 🧀
What You Need
✅ 16 oz ziti pasta (uncooked)
✅ 24 oz marinara sauce
✅ 1 cup milk
✅ 2 cups water
✅ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
✅ 1/2 tsp onion powder
✅ 1 tsp dried oregano
✅ 1 tsp salt
✅ Fully cooked meatballs (thawed)
✅ 2 cups shredded mozzarella (or Italian blend cheese)
✅ Optional: Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 425°F.
2️⃣ In a 9x13-inch baking dish, stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, milk, water, spices, and meatballs.
3️⃣ Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
4️⃣ Remove foil and stir. Check that the pasta is al dente. If still too firm, cover and bake a few more minutes.
5️⃣ Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
6️⃣ Bake uncovered 5–10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7️⃣ Let the casserole rest 15 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens.
SAVE this recipe! ⭐ Find the full recipe at Tastes Better From Scratch (link in bio!).
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For anyone looking to simplify dinner without sacrificing taste, this one-pan meatball casserole is a lifesaver. The key to its ease is combining all the ingredients—uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, milk, water, spices, and pre-cooked meatballs—right in the baking dish, so you don’t have to fuss with multiple pots or pans. Baking everything covered allows the pasta to absorb the sauce and cook perfectly, while the final uncovered minutes with mozzarella on top create a melty, golden finish. In my experience, using milk and water together is a clever trick that keeps the pasta moist and adds creaminess to the sauce without making it too heavy. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can be sprinkled on after baking to add brightness and freshness, balancing the richness of the cheese and meatballs. When choosing meatballs, fully cooked frozen ones save time, but making homemade meatballs can add a personal touch and extra flavor. This casserole is versatile—you can swap in Italian sausage, ground beef, or even plant-based meatballs for different tastes. As a bonus tip, letting the casserole rest after baking helps the sauce thicken and sets the dish, making it easier to serve. Pairing this meal with a simple green salad or garlic bread rounds out the dinner beautifully. This recipe is perfect for busy families or anyone wanting comforting, hearty food with minimal effort and cleanup. Give it a try—you’ll appreciate how it delivers big flavors with ease, making weeknight dinners stress-free and satisfying.
This is my kind of dinner meal!