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Dump & Bake Cheesy Meatball Rice Casserole

This yummy family dinner recipe is super easy to make with just a few common ingredients! Simply dump everything into a large baking dish and you've got yourself a kid approved meal for busy weeknights.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: budget meal, easy dinner, few ingredients, frozen meatballs, rice casserole, yummy food
Servings: 6

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!