Meatball Pasta Bake

This easy-to-make baked casserole is better than lasagna!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 1 ½ pounds frozen cooked meatballs, thawed
• 2 (28 ounce) jars prepared marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 0.6666666666666666 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Steps

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. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking dish.
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. 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. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Remove foil and bake until cheese starts to turn golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Enjoy!