The Frozen Ingredient You Need For An Easier Pasta Bake

One-dish wonders, such as lasagna, various versions of shepherd's pie, and tuna noodle casserole, are practically the cornerstone of homestyle American cuisine. Though some of these dishes migrated here from other countries, they've become beloved comfort food staples that grace the dinner table of families from many different cultures. Others, such as chicken and rice or green bean casserole, are uniquely American, inspired by the revolutionary abundance of convenience foods that hit supermarkets in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and societal changes that saw women flooding the workforce en masse for the first time.

A deeply versatile dish that encompasses both cultural significance and convenience is the all-important pasta bake. The nondescript moniker is no accident; it's just vague enough to fit a variety of dishes while still making your mouth water by promising the deliciousness of baked pasta. Though these dishes often require the cook to boil pasta and render meat before combining everything — essentially cooking your food twice — fully cooked frozen meatballs offer a shortcut that significantly reduces your time in the kitchen.

Since these meatballs are preseasoned and fully cooked, all you have to do is dice and stir them into your casserole (or even throw them in whole). Once nestled into your favorite cheesy Parmesan spaghetti casserole and baked, the meatballs roast and become slightly crisp, releasing flavorful oils and juices into the rest of the dish. This means frozen meatballs aren't just convenient — they may be the secret to your best pasta bake yet.

Since they're essentially the star of the show, it's worth it to splurge on high-quality frozen meatballs to ensure your meal is full of deep, savory, meaty flavor. If you're on a budget, however, you can compensate for slightly subpar flavor by seasoning your meatballs after they've thawed in the fridge overnight. You can even let them soak in Italian dressing or your favorite vinaigrette for a bit to pack them with as much tangy flavor as possible.

This is another great thing about frozen meatballs; they're essentially little sponges for extra moisture and flavor. This means you can skip the step of boiling pasta before putting everything together, instead adding a cup or two of broth to your favorite sauce and dumping the pasta in dry. Not only does the extra moisture tenderize and cook the pasta as it bakes, it also seeps into the meatballs to ensure they're juicy. This means you spend just minutes putting together a meal so good you can add it to the regular rotation.

The best part is frozen meatballs are often available in a variety of flavors, letting you mix them with different sauces and additional ingredients to create a variety of pasta bakes. Garlic and cracked pepper meatballs are the perfect counterpoint to creamy Alfredo while sweeter, cranberry-infused meatballs work well with a seasonal pumpkin or butternut squash pasta sauce.