Recipe Ingredients

• Dry spaghetti
• 1 jar of tomato sauce
• Water (using the empty tomato sauce jar to measure)
• Cooked Perfect Meatballs
• Shredded cheese (mozzarella or a blend)

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for your pasta bake.
2. Prepare the Casserole Dish: Take a large casserole dish and spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom. This helps prevent the pasta from sticking.
3. Add the Spaghetti: Break the dry spaghetti in half if needed to fit the dish and create an even layer of pasta on top of the sauce.
4. Add Sauce and Water: Pour the jar of tomato sauce evenly over the dry spaghetti. Then, fill the empty tomato sauce jar with water (one jar’s worth) and pour this over the pasta as well. Gently shake the dish or use a spoon to ensure the liquid is evenly distributed and the pasta is covered.
5. Add the Meatballs: Place the frozen Cooked Perfect Meatballs evenly on top of the sauce-covered pasta. There’s no need to thaw them first; they will cook in the oven.
6. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and check if the pasta is tender. If it’s not, cover it back up and continue baking, checking every 5 minutes.
7. Add Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked and the meatballs are heated through, sprinkle your desired amount of shredded cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the pasta bake cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This rest period allows everything to set a bit, making it easier to serve.