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Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe

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4 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings

Description

A hearty and delicious Meatball Sub Casserole combining tender baked meatballs, creamy cheese spread, melted mozzarella, and savory spaghetti sauce layered over Italian bread, perfect for an easy family dinner.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/3 cup chopped green onion, to taste
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 lb ground beef

Casserole

  • 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1 inch slices
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (not low-fat or lite)
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the meatballs.
  2. Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine chopped green onions, seasoned bread crumbs, and grated parmesan cheese thoroughly.
  3. Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the bowl with the other ingredients and mix well until all components are evenly combined.
  4. Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a rack.
  5. Bake Meatballs: Place the rack with meatballs in a shallow baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until no longer pink. Alternatively, cook the meatballs in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
  6. Reduce Oven Temperature: Lower the oven temperature to 350°F in preparation for baking the casserole.
  7. Arrange Bread: Lay the Italian bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Note that not all bread slices may be used depending on the size of the dish.
  8. Prepare Cheese Spread: In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and pepper until smooth.
  9. Spread Cheese Mixture: Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices in the baking dish.
  10. Add Mozzarella: Sprinkle half (1 cup) of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the cheese mixture on the bread.
  11. Combine Sauce and Meatballs: In a bowl, combine spaghetti sauce, water, and minced garlic, then add the baked meatballs into this sauce mixture and stir gently to coat.
  12. Assemble Casserole: Pour the meatball and sauce mixture evenly over the bread and cheese layer.
  13. Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the casserole.
  14. Bake Casserole: Bake the assembled casserole uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • You can cook the meatballs in a skillet instead of baking if preferred.
  • Use full-fat mayonnaise and cream cheese for the best creamy flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of Italian seasoning and pepper based on your taste preference.
  • Any leftover bread slices can be saved for another use or slightly toasted as croutons.
  • Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving for easier slicing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/meatball-sub-casserole-recipe/