Simply mix instant rice with pasta sauce and a can of tomatoes, top with frozen meatballs, sprinkle with gooey cheese and bake until hot and bubbly.
This quick and easy dinner casserole is made with just a few budget ingredients and requires less than 5 minutes to prep!
A meal that consists of just a few common ingredients, takes minutes to toss into a baking dish, is perfect for a family with picky kids, and approved by mom who doesn’t want to be cooking and cleaning all night. Is that what you’re looking for? You’ve found it! This cheesy meatball and rice casserole will soon be a family favorite dinner idea for hectic weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups instant white rice
- 1 (24oz) jar pasta sauce
- 1 (14.5oz) can Italian diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- 30 frozen meatballs
- 1+ cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- Italian seasoning & garlic powder (optional)
Step 1In a 9×13 greased baking dish, mix together the instant rice, pasta sauce, can of tomatoes, and one cup water until well combined. I also recommend seasoning the mixture with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, etc.
Step 2Place the frozen meatballs on top of the mixture without submerging them and then COVER TIGHTLY WITH FOIL.
Step 3 Bake in the center rack of a 375° F oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and evenly top with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Step 4Place the casserole back into the oven and continue cooking for 5-10 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your liking.
Serve this delicious, frozen meatball casserole with fresh parsley, caesar salad, garlic bread, a side of veggies, cracked red pepper, or anything else you’d like. Either way, this comfort food is just as tasty leftover, so you might get several meal out of it. A total win in my house!
Dump & Bake Cheesy Meatball Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Minute instant white rice
- 1 (24oz) jar pasta sauce
- 1 (14.5oz) can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes (DO NOT drain)
- 1 cup water
- 30 frozen meatballs
- 1+ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- garlic powder & Italian seasoning (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Mix together the uncooked instant rice, jar of pasta sauce, can of undrained diced tomatoes, water, and any additional seasoning you'd like to use. Place the mixture onto the bottom of your prepared dish (you can also mix everything together directly in the dish if you'd like).
- Place the frozen meatballs on top of the mixture and cover tightly with foil. Make sure the foil is covering the entire dish so that the rice can fully steam and cook.
- Bake in the center rack of your oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle on your cheeses. Bake again, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your liking.
Notes
- For this recipe, instant rice must be used because it's already partially cooked. Keep in mind that the instant brown rice takes a little longer to cook so you may not get the same result. I recommend Minute Instant White Rice.
- We like the Costco brand of Italian frozen meatballs but any meatballs can be used. Feel free to fit as many in the dish as you'd like, you don't have to use exactly 30 meatballs. And there's no need to thaw or cook them first! Just plop them in there frozen.
- I always doctor up jarred pasta sauce with additional seasoning such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, onion powder, etc. Customize the flavor to your liking.
- Any melty cheese can be used for this recipe and you can use your heart to measure. Sprinkle on as little or as much as you'd like!
- This casserole pairs really well with a side of Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, green beans, zucchini, or garlic bread.
- Looking for more easy dinner recipes to make with frozen meatballs? Try this Slow Cooker Meatball Pot Roast!
Don’t forget to pin and save this easy frozen meatball dinner casserole for later! 🙂
