Easy One-Pot Weeknight Dinner

This Dutch oven pasta and meatballs one-dish meal is perfect for those nights when you want to serve your family a delicious meal, but you don’t have much time.

You basically toss all of the ingredients together and pop it into the oven. Less than an hour later, it’s ready. I came up with this recipe when I was pressed for time and had to throw something together from what I had on hand.

When my kids were growing up, they were busy with after school activities and social lives. I often found myself racing against the clock to get dinner on the table.

Quick and Easy Dinner

Although I enjoyed cooking some meals from scratch, it was always nice to have a few stand-by recipes that were quick, easy, and delicious.

Most people who have seen my recipes know that I don’t mind using prepared foods in my recipes. However, I never leave them alone because I always think I can make them better. Most of the time, I can.

If you find jars of marinara and Alfredo sauce on sale, pick up a few for times like this. In addition to this delicious pasta and meatballs dinner, try any of these other yummy ways to make jar Alfredo sauce better.

Dutch Oven Pasta and Meatballs Ingredients

As the name implies, this dish is cooked in a Dutch oven. For some reason, doing this makes the meal feel more “homemade.” Or maybe it’s just me.

At any rate, I love the fact that it’s attractive and holds heat. So you can cook and serve it in one pot. 

Here’s the list of ingredients:

• Jar of Alfredo sauce
• Jar of marinara sauce
• Precooked frozen meatballs, thawed
• Uncooked penne pasta
• Cup of water
• Italian seasoning (optional)
• Cup of shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, or your favorite cheese blend)

You can add other ingredients if you have time. I enjoy sautéed onions, diced bell peppers, and minced garlic. But this is one of those times when I want something in a hurry.

How to Make Pasta and Meatballs in a Dutch Oven

This is truly one of the easiest recipes you can make. And the blend of flavors from two different types of sauce take the flavor to the highest level of deliciousness.

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of your Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray. Or if you prefer, coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil.

Now combine all of the ingredients, except the cheese, in the Dutch oven. You can use a large mixing bowl to mix if you prefer, but I like to cut out as many steps and dirty dishes as possible.

I usually start with the pasta and adding the water.

But you don’t have to do it that way. You can just dump it all in at the same time if you want.

Then I add the remaining ingredients.

Give it a good stir to make sure all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.

I can tell it’s well mixed when the sauce has a consistent orange color throughout.

If you mixed the ingredients in a bowl, pour the mixture into the Dutch oven. Cover and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Remove the lid and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. 

Return to the oven uncovered and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts. Serve with a side salad, broccoli slaw, or a green vegetable like Brussels sprouts.

Variations

Since I have to be gluten-free, I use gluten-free pasta. Use whatever kind you like and can eat.

I typically purchase different sauces when they go on sale. Sometimes I can tell the difference, but when I mix them like I do in this recipe, it doesn’t matter what brand I use. So pick up the ones you like or can afford.

I’ve used different variations of cheese. My favorite is a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. However, I didn’t have parmesan when I made this. It was still yummy.

There are different ways you can spice this up. Sometimes I add red pepper flakes to the recipe, but most of the time I wait until it’s on my plate.

Other seasonings I like to add are fresh basil, oregano, and thyme. I’ve even dropped in a pinch of ground cinnamon, which is delicious. 

My mother-in-law used to add a teaspoon of sugar to all of her recipes. Although that’s not my style, it worked for her. She was always known for being a great cook.

Since you’re making this for your family, add a teaspoon of whatever you think they’ll like. It will turn out great!

More Tips for a Pasta and Meatball Dinner

As easy as this dinner is, there are things you can do to make it even better. Here are some extra tips:

• Always start with ingredients that you like on their own. For example, if your family prefers one brand of frozen meatballs over another, use the one they like. The same goes for pasta sauce.
• Add a delicious side salad to complete the meal. This is an easy way to have something that is satisfying and balanced.
• Provide several toppings in serving bowls so each person can have exactly what they like. Some of my favorite options are grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Easy Weeknight Dinner

I don’t believe in sacrificing flavor just because I’m tried at the end of a long day. This is one of those weeknight dinners that tastes amazing but only takes a few minutes to put together.

How to Store Leftover Pasta and Meatballs

After you finish dinner, you probably won’t have any leftovers. However, if you do, you can put them in an airtight container and refrigerate them.

This is the perfect leftover meal to take to work with you the next day … that is, if someone else doesn’t grab it first.

Please feel free to share!