Craving a cozy, satisfying dinner that comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor? This Italian Meatball Pasta Bake is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. With just a handful of pantry staples and a bag of Costco frozen meatballs, you can create a hearty, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing dish.
Perfect for busy nights, picky eaters, or anyone who just wants a warm plate of pasta without the fuss, this bake delivers bold Italian flavor with practically no prep. Pop it in the oven and let the magic happen—dinner is served.
Ingredients
I make this a Costco meal by using the Kirkland Italian Style frozen meatballs and the Kirkland Organic Tuscan Marinara. You can use any brand of meatballs you like but I would suggest sticking with a high quality marinara like Kirkland’s or Rao’s as the flavors of the sauce get concentrated while the dish bakes.
- 1 lb frozen Italian-style beef meatballs (about 16-20 meatballs)
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley or fresh basil
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
3. Combine the Sauce
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together:
- Marinara sauce
- Diced tomatoes
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
4. Assemble the Bake
- Add the cooked pasta and frozen meatballs directly to the sauce mixture. Toss to coat evenly.
- Pour everything into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, then the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan.
5. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are heated through (internal temp should be at least 165°F).
6. Serve
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
- Serve with garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal.
Make-Ahead Tip
You can assemble the entire bake up to a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Add an extra 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time if cooking straight from the fridge.
Inspiration from the Web
I put this recipe together from a few sources across the Internet.
The first source was the Meatball Pasta Bake from AllRecipes and the second was the Meatball Pasta Casserole from One Hot Oven.
Both recipes used different pasta shapes, seasonings, etc but served as a great resources 🙂
