Meatball Pasta Bake

Meatball Pasta Bake

from allrecipes.com
Dinner
60 min
8 servings
701 kcal / serving

This easy-to-make baked meatball pasta casserole with layers of marinara sauce and 3 different types of cheese is better than lasagna!

Ingredients

  • 1package ziti pasta
  • 1 ½ poundsfrozen cooked meatballs, thawed
  • 2jars prepared marinara sauce
  • 1 cupricotta cheese
  • 1 teaspoonitalian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoongarlic powder
  • 3 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ⅝ cupgrated parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes less than the package instructions, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta.

  2. 2

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking dish.

  3. 3

    Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add marinara sauce and ricotta cheese; mix to combine. Add cooked pasta and mix to combine. Season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.

  4. 4

    Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a layer of sauce without meatballs. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top. Add another layer of sauce with meatballs on top and sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Add another layer of 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Add the rest of the sauce and meatball mixture on top, followed by remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.

  5. 5

    Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.

  6. 6

    Remove foil and bake until cheese starts to turn golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!