Description
This Easy Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole brings all the comforting flavors of your favorite sub sandwich into a warm, bubbly bake that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 loaf (8-10 oz) Italian bread or baguette, sliced into 1-inch slices
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Italian dressing or sour cream
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 bag (24 oz) frozen cooked beef or turkey meatballs, thawed
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
2.5 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer the Italian bread slices in the bottom of the dish.
In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese with Italian dressing, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until smooth, then spread this mixture over the bread.
Sprinkle one cup of the shredded mozzarella over the cream cheese.
In another bowl, coat the thawed meatballs with marinara sauce, then pour them over the bread layer.
Finish by topping with the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is wonderfully bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
For a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before coating the meatballs.
Feel free to sauté some finely chopped onions or bell peppers and mix them into the marinara sauce for added flavor and nutrients. Mushrooms are also a fantastic addition!
While mozzarella and Parmesan are classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like provolone or a bit of Monterey Jack for a different cheesy experience.
If you don’t have Italian bread or a baguette, a hearty French bread or even thick slices of sourdough could work in a pinch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American