No-Boil Meatball Pasta Bake

Though I've been making lasagna for years without first boiling the noodles, I never thought to try this technique with other pasta dishes.

Meatballs and spaghetti are a staple in my house, so I wondered if I could streamline things by baking both components up in one pan. Though boiling water is not a chore, it does add considerable time to the cooking process, making it a challenge on busier weeknights.

Turns out, this technique works perfectly!

I started with my favorite homemade meatballs but you can easily swap them for pre-cooked frozen meatballs (just make sure they're fully thawed before you start).

You'll need three cups of your favorite marinara sauce, plus three additional cups of liquid. You can use water, or a combination of water and heavy cream. Add some shredded cheese and a sprinkling of chopped herbs at the end and dinner is served!

Images via Sheri Silver