Now, stir everything together gently, making sure the pasta is submerged in the sauce. This step is crucial for the pasta to cook evenly; trust me, you don’t want crunchy pasta in your casserole! Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and pop it into the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, feeling free to savor the tantalizing aromas filling your kitchen—it’s one of my favorite parts!
After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam!), and give it a good stir. The pasta should be tender by now, and everything should be starting to meld into a glorious mess of flavors. Now comes the best part: sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. I always go a little heavy on the cheese because, well, can you ever have too much cheese? Return the casserole to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This will help everything settle and make serving easier. I love garnishing with freshly chopped basil for a pop of color and flavor that really enhances the dish.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this recipe three ways to ensure it was foolproof. The first was using homemade meatballs, and while they were delicious, I found that the frozen ones allow for quick prep and a consistently tender texture—plus, who doesn’t love a shortcut? If you want to tackle homemade meatballs, just make sure they’re fully cooked before adding them to the casserole.
Another tip I have is to use a non-stick baking dish. This helps prevent cheese from sticking and burning at the edges, which can happen in a regular dish. I’ve had my fair share of scrubbing gooey cheese off pans, and believe me, it’s not fun!
Lastly, don’t skip letting the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. This small step makes a big difference in texture. I’ve served it right out of the oven before and ended up with a saucy mess on my plate, which may have tasted delicious but sure didn’t look appetizing!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I made the first time making this dish was not checking if the pasta was fully submerged in the sauce. The top layers of pasta ended up dry and crunchy, which was definitely not the texture I was going for. So, be sure to give everything a good stir before covering the dish! (See the next page below to continue…)