When a day is full and you still want supper to feel hearty and homemade, a simple bake like this earns its place in the family notebook. This kind of thrifty casserole-style meal has long been a Midwestern answer to busy evenings, using just a few pantry and freezer staples to make something filling, warm, and easy to put together hours before dinnertime. The beauty of a 3-ingredient victory bake is that it asks very little of the cook and still brings that comforting, oven-bubbled goodness to the table.
Serve this bake with a crisp green salad, buttered green beans, or a spoonful of applesauce if you like a little sweetness on the plate. Warm dinner rolls or toasted bread are welcome alongside for soaking up the savory juices, and a simple pickle tray gives a nice contrast to the rich, bubbling casserole.
3-Ingredient Veterans Day Victory Bake
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 (24 to 32 ounce) bag frozen fully cooked meatballs
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a deep ceramic baking dish.
2. Spread the frozen meatballs evenly in the baking dish, then pour the pasta sauce over the top and stir gently to coat.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes, until the meatballs are heated through and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
4. Uncover, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top, and return the dish to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Variations & Tips
Pasta Supper Version: Spoon the finished bake over hot spaghetti, penne, or egg noodles to stretch it further and make it feed a few extra folks around the table.
Cheese Swap: Use provolone, an Italian blend, or part mozzarella and part Parmesan if that is what you have on hand. A mixed cheese topping gives a little more browned flavor on top.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the meatballs and sauce in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to a day ahead. When ready to bake, add about 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time before topping with cheese.
Add-a-Vegetable Tip: If you do not mind stepping past the 3-ingredient spirit, stir in sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, or a few handfuls of spinach for a fuller casserole with a little garden flavor.