Get excited and preheat! Crank your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grab your favorite 9x13-inch baking dish—grease it lightly if you like extra-easy cleanup.

Dump and stir the magic base. In the dish, toss together the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Give it a big, happy stir until everything looks evenly coated and saucy.

Add those gorgeous meatballs. Nestle the meatballs right into the pasta mixture, pressing them down slightly so they're cozy and surrounded by sauce.

Seal it for steamy perfection. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil—this traps moisture so the pasta cooks beautifully without drying out.

Bake and build anticipation. Pop it in the oven for 40 minutes. Your kitchen will fill with the most inviting Italian aromas!

Uncover and check the love. Remove the foil, give everything a gentle stir to redistribute the sauce and ensure the pasta is tender (add a splash more water if it looks too thick).

Cheese it up! Sprinkle the mozzarella and half the Parmesan evenly over the top—go generous for that golden, bubbly finish everyone craves.

Final broil for beauty. Bake uncovered another 10 minutes, or switch to broil for 2-3 minutes if you want extra bubbly, golden cheese (watch closely to avoid burning!).

Rest and admire. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes—this helps it set so slices hold together beautifully.

Serve with joy! Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley and the remaining Parmesan. Scoop onto plates and enjoy the festive cheers around your table!