Meatball Sub Casserole

Enjoy all the classic flavors of your favorite meatball sub in this hearty, comforting Meatball Sub Casserole. Layers of toasted French bread, a creamy cheese spread, savory meatballs, marinara sauce and melted cheese.

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Meatball sub casserole is a crowd pleasing comfort dish that is a hit on the dinner table and at game day parties. A chewy toast base topped with a creamy cheese sauce, meatballs, pasta sauce and melted mozzarella – my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Throw this easy meatball casserole recipe together with store bought pasta sauce and meatballs to save time, this is bound to become a favorite dish to take to potlucks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This is a mess free version of everyone’s favorite comfort sandwich!
• Store bought sauce and meatballs make prep a breeze.
• Meatball sub casserole is a kid-friendly dish.

Ingredients For Meatball Sub Casserole

• French bread – Slice a loaf of French bread from your local store to use for this dish. If you want to use garlic toast or Texas toast, toast it beforehand.
• Cream cheese – Use full fat for the most flavor.
• Mayonnaise – Adds flavor to the sauce and helps with spreadability. You may substitute sour cream if you want.
• Seasoning – Italian seasoning (which is typically a mix of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and marjoram) and ground black pepper.
• Mozzarella cheese – Buy a block and shred it yourself for the gooiest melted topping.
• Frozen meatballs – Using your favorite storebought meatballs makes this meal that much simpler. If you want to make homemade meatballs, be sure to sear them so they don’t fall apart in the sauce when you bake the casserole.
• Pasta sauce – Use a can of your family’s favorite tomato sauce to keep preparation simple or use homemade.

How To Make Meatball Sub Casserole

1. Arrange slices of bread in one layer in the casserole dish. If there are gaps, fill them in with smaller chunks of bread.
2. Next combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings.
3. Spread over bread slices. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
4. Combine the spaghetti sauce and meatballs. Spoon over cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
5. Bake until hot and bubbly.

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover meatball sub casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This is best eaten the first day so the bread doesn’t have a chance to get soggy.

Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this dish because the bread will not hold up and will become soggy upon thawing and reheating.

To reheat, place in the oven, covered, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes or hot throughout.

Can This Dish Be Prepared Ahead of Time?

I do not recommend preparing this dish too far in advance or the bread can become soggy.

There is just something I love about an easy weeknight casserole and this meatball sub dish is at the top of the list. Perfectly saucy, gooey cheese, chewy bread and savory meatballs are the best combination for any day of the week.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

4.95 from 54 votes

Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe

One of the best casserole recipes! Meatball Sub Casserole is layered with toasted french bread, cream cheese, spaghetti sauce, meatballs and cheese!

Prep:15 minutes mins

Cook:35 minutes mins

Total:50 minutes mins

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Video

6

servings

Equipment

• 9×13" casserole dish
• Box grater
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 loaf French bread cut into 1 inch thick slices, toasted
• ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• ▢ ½ cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• ▢ 1 pound package fully cooked frozen meatballs thawed
• ▢ 28 ounces pasta sauce (1 jar)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange toasted bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9×13" baking dish. Fill in gaps with smaller chunks of bread.
• In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings. Spread mixture over bread slices. Sprinkle with ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Gently fold together spaghetti sauce and meatballs. Spoon over mozzarella cheese layer. Sprinkle with remaining shredded mozzarella.
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, uncovered for 30-35 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 784kcal (39%), Carbohydrates: 45g (15%), Protein: 32g (64%), Fat: 53g (82%), Saturated Fat: 21g (131%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 130mg (43%), Sodium: 1542mg (67%), Potassium: 775mg (22%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 10g (11%), Vitamin A: 1356IU (27%), Vitamin C: 10mg (12%), Calcium: 296mg (30%), Iron: 5mg (28%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

Recipe from: The Country Cook

How To Serve Meatball Sub Casserole

This casserole is filling on it’s own but to add a few greens to the table, I would make a simple green salad or cook tender broccoli or cauliflower. Cauliflower seasoned with any extra Italian seasoning will really complement this casserole. Save room in the oven and make Air Fryer Asparagus, the perfectly seasoned and tender spears will disappear quickly.

More Great Casserole Recipes

• A creamy cheese sauce with bowtie pasta is the perfect way to use up any leftover ham. Add Cheesy Ham Casserole to your meal plan any time you’ve cooked a ham.
• Simplify family favorite hearty lasagna and make Lasagna Casserole for supper tonight. All of the meat, noodles, sauce and cheese you can desire with less tie to assemble.
• The secret ingredient in Baked Spaghetti Casserole will shock you in the best way! A layer of creamy alfredo sauce makes this dish out of this world delicious.
• If you have leftover chicken, Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole is a one pot meal to try. Filled with chicken, noodles, creamy sauce and veggies and topped with breadcrumbs, this is a hearty meal to satisfy your hungry family.