Description
This Meatball Sub Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish that combines classic Italian flavors in a convenient baked casserole form. Layers of Italian bread, creamy cheese spread, tangy pasta sauce, and tender meatballs are topped with melted mozzarella for a hearty meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
Cream Cheese Spread
- 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use (½ cup for layering, 1½ cups for topping)
Meatball Layer
- 1 bag frozen Italian-style meatballs, thawed (approximately 12-15 meatballs)
- 24-ounce jar pasta sauce
Garnish
- Dried parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Arrange the Bread: Place the Italian bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Fill any gaps with bread pieces to create a solid base layer.
- Make Cream Cheese Spread: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Spread on Bread: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is covered.
- Add Mozzarella Layer: Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the cream cheese layer for a cheesy base.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: Gently combine the thawed Italian-style meatballs with the jar of pasta sauce, mixing just enough to coat the meatballs.
- Top the Bread: Spoon the meatball and sauce mixture evenly over the cream cheese and mozzarella layers, covering all the bread slices.
- Add Remaining Cheese: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top to create a melted cheesy topping when baked.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. If the cheese browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing into portions. Garnish with dried parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- Thaw meatballs completely before mixing with pasta sauce to ensure even heating.
- You can substitute Italian bread with French bread or hoagie rolls cut thickly.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture or use a spicy pasta sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
- To make this recipe allergy-friendly, use gluten-free bread and mayonnaise alternatives if needed.
