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No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Casserole

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Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil rigatoni and meatball casserole. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.

Dinner plate with no boil rigatoni and meatballs, sauteed zucchini and a hunk of cheesy garlic bread.

This tasty bake pasta recipe is beyond simple to make, you don’t even have to boil water! Just put everything in a pan and bake it to melty cheese and saucy pasta perfection.

With school starting back up and fall sports in full swing, weeknights are going to be busy for a while. That doesn’t mean we can’t make a tasty supper for our family.

Baked pasta recipes are always popular at the dinner table. They are hearty and delicious.

Ingredients for no boil baked pasta with meatballs.

But a lot of casserole style pasta recipes require boiling the pasta and browning some meat before it is assembled. Then it still needs to be baked.

That is a lot to ask on a busy day. So luckily there are shortcuts to make them faster and easier.

For the last year or two I have been falling in love with these shortcuts. It all started with no boil macaroni and cheese.

Plate of rigatoni and meatball casserole with garlic bread and zucchini next to remaining casserole.

That recipe quickly became a favorite and makes for a perfect winter side dish or even a meatless entree. Then came no boil Italian sausage and pasta casserole.

I even turned Mimi’s baked ziti recipe into an even easier no boil baked ziti. Both are creamy, cheesy and delicious.

Making the Casserole

All you have to do is toss a box of pasta into a baking dish. Add a mixture of sauce, water or stock, and some seasonings.

Top with meatballs and some foil and bake it until the pasta is al dente. Remove the foil and add some cheese.

Bake uncovered until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the cheese is melted. Allow to rest for a few minutes amd serve with garlic bread and a salad or broccoli.

It is so easy to make it just might end up making the menu every week!

More Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

Creamy spaghetti and meatballs in the instant pot is another great way to turn a box of pasta and some frozen meatballs into a fabulous dinner.

Whip up some creamy chicken and spinach risotto in the instant pot. It is another great easy all in one meal.

Close up of baked rigatoni and meatballs.

Or make some copycat hamburger helper stroganoff. It’s as easy as the box stuff, but tastes even better!

No boil pizza pasta casserole combines all of your favorite pizza toppings with the comfort of baked pasta. The best part is you don’t even have to boil the noodles first, so assembly is quick and easy.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

Dinner plate with no boil rigatoni and meatballs, sauteed zucchini and a hunk of cheesy garlic bread.

No Boil Rigatoni and Meatball Bake

Carlee
Make getting dinner on the table super easy with this no boil rigatoni and meatball bake. It takes almost no prep work and results in a tasty and filling meal.
4.83 from 28 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dinners
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 383 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce
  • cups water or chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 12 oz uncooked rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb frozen meatballs
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
  • Stir together pasta sauce, water and seasonings.
    24 oz jar spaghetti sauce, 3½ cups water or chicken stock, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Add uncooked pasta and sauce mixture to prepared pan, top with frozen meatballs. Cover with foil and bake 50 minutes.
    12 oz uncooked rigatoni pasta, 1 lb frozen meatballs
  • Remove foil (the pasta won’t be all the way cooked, but the liquid should be bubbling and partially absorbed), sprinkle cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes longer.
    2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.

Notes

Feel free to use other tube shaped pasta. Shells or pasta shapes with lots of texture and curves should work as well.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 19gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 1071mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8g
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Recipe Rating




Wendy

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

Hi. If I half the recipe would I still use a 9x13 pan? Or should I use a smaller size like 9x9?

Carlee

Wednesday 27th of March 2024

You can use an 8 or 9 inch square instead of the 9x13.

Carol

Saturday 19th of February 2022

Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I am recovering from hip replacement and need to have less dishes etc to clean and quick and easy meals. This fit the bill perfectly and was delicious!!!! Thank you!!!

Carlee

Saturday 19th of February 2022

Here's to a speedy recovery for you. I am so glad you liked it!

Miz Helen

Tuesday 7th of September 2021

We sure have enjoyed featuring your awesome post on Full Plate Thursday, 552. Thanks so much for sharing with us and come back to see us soon! Miz Helen

Carlee

Wednesday 8th of September 2021

Thank you, Miz Helen!