Description
This Meatball Sub Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that layers thawed meatballs, creamy cheese mixture, and marinara sauce over slices of French bread, baked to bubbly perfection with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that combines the flavors of a classic meatball sub in a warm, hearty casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Sub Casserole Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen fully-cooked meatballs, thawed
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or pasta sauce
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Bread: Arrange the French bread slices in a single layer at the bottom of the greased baking dish, forming the base layer for the casserole.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese until smooth and well blended.
- Spread Cheese Mixture: Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the bread slices, ensuring full coverage.
- Add Meatballs: Arrange the thawed meatballs evenly over the cheese layer, distributing them to cover the surface.
- Pour Sauce: Pour the marinara or pasta sauce evenly over the meatballs, covering them completely.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese followed by the grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce-covered meatballs.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade meatballs instead of frozen for enhanced flavor and freshness.
- For added spice, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes into the marinara sauce before layering.
- Substitute French bread with sourdough or ciabatta for different bread textures and flavors.
