If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy the comforting, cheesy goodness of a meatball sub in an easy, shareable casserole form, then this Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe is about to become your new favorite dinner hack. It combines all the iconic flavors of a classic meatball sub—tender meatballs, tangy marinara, creamy cheese, and hearty Italian bread—layered into a bubbling, golden baked dish. Perfect for family dinners or feeding a crowd, this recipe is as delightful as it is approachable, making weeknight meal planning a breeze and taste buds utterly happy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe plays a crucial role, bringing together the right balance of flavors and textures—from creamy richness to that irresistible Italian zest. These simple, staple ingredients ensure the dish is not only delicious but also easy to prepare without endless shopping lists.
- Italian bread: Provides the robust, chewy base that soaks up flavors beautifully without turning soggy.
- Cream cheese: Adds a luscious creaminess that contrasts wonderfully with the acidity of the tomato sauce.
- Mayonnaise: Enhances the creamy layer with a subtle tang and smooth texture.
- Italian seasoning: Brings that essential herbaceous note, making the casserole taste like a classic sub sandwich.
- Ground black pepper: Adds just the right touch of heat to balance the savory flavors.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey pockets of cheesy goodness on top and within the layers.
- Frozen Italian-style meatballs: The star protein, ready to deliver hearty, flavorful bites with minimal effort.
- Marinara or pasta sauce: Infuses the casserole with rich tomato flavor and moistness, perfectly marrying all elements.
- Dried parsley (optional): A sprinkle of fresh-looking green to brighten each serving visually and add a hint of earthiness.
How to Make Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by preheating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). Arrange your Italian bread slices in a single layer inside a 9×13-inch baking dish. Don’t fret if there are gaps—simply fill them with smaller pieces of bread. The bread forms the sturdy foundation, soaking up the creamy and saucy layers without falling apart.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Layer
In a mixing bowl, blend together softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and a dash of pepper until smooth and well combined. This rich, savory spread gets generously slathered across the bread slices, creating a luxurious layer that adds moisture and tang to every bite.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Meatballs
Sprinkle half of your shredded mozzarella over the creamy mixture, ensuring a gooey cheese base before adding the meatballs. Next, gently mix your thawed Italian-style meatballs with the jar of pasta sauce, making sure every meatball is coated in that delicious marinara. Spread this meaty, saucy mixture evenly over the casserole, building those iconic meatball sub flavors right into the dish.
Step 4: Finish and Bake
Top everything off with the remaining mozzarella cheese for that golden, bubbly finish. Bake uncovered for around 30 to 35 minutes, watching carefully toward the end to prevent over-browning—if the cheese gets too dark, cover loosely with foil. When ready, the casserole will be hot, melty, and begging to be sliced and served immediately.
How to Serve Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of dried parsley adds a pop of color that brightens up the entire dish and a subtle herby hint that complements the Italian flavors beautifully. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick if you’re feeling adventurous.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or a side of roasted vegetables to balance the richness. Garlic breadsticks or a fresh cucumber salad can also offer a refreshing contrast that rounds out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe as a hearty family-style dish straight from the baking pan to the table for a cozy vibe. Alternatively, portion it into individual ramekins for a charming single-serving presentation that’s ideal for casual dinner parties or easy leftovers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your casserole tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 3 days, preserving the flavors and moisture beautifully so you can enjoy hearty leftovers without sacrificing taste.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, assemble the casserole but hold off on baking. Wrap it securely in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, bake from frozen, adding a bit of extra time to ensure it heats through fully.
Reheating
Reheat portions in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and bubbly. Cover with foil to prevent over-browning and give it a sprinkle more mozzarella if you want to refresh the cheesy top.
FAQs
Can I make this Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free bread and make sure your pasta sauce and meatballs do not contain gluten ingredients. This swap keeps the dish allergy-friendly without losing any flavor.
What type of meatballs work best in this recipe?
Italian-style meatballs are ideal because they’re already seasoned to complement the sauce and herbs. You can use homemade or store-bought meatballs, beef, pork, or a blend, depending on your preference.
Is it possible to use fresh bread instead of a loaf?
Yes, fresh Italian or French bread sliced thickly works perfectly. Just make sure the bread slices hold up to layering without becoming overly soggy during baking.
Can I substitute the cream cheese and mayonnaise?
You can experiment with ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt for a lighter option, but the creamy mayonnaise and cream cheese in this recipe provide that classic indulgent base essential to the dish’s signature texture.
How spicy is this casserole?
This Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe is mild by default, perfect for all tastes. You can add red pepper flakes or spicy marinara if you prefer a bit more heat.
Final Thoughts
This Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe truly takes a classic sandwich and transforms it into a comfort food celebration everybody will love, especially when you want something easy, cheesy, and satisfying. Whether it’s busy weeknights or casual gatherings, don’t hesitate to give this recipe a go—it’s a warm hug on a plate that’s simple enough for any home cook to master and irresistible enough to keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Print
Meatball Sub Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Meatball Sub Casserole is a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Layers of Italian bread are topped with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and mayonnaise, plenty of mozzarella cheese, savory Italian-style meatballs, and rich pasta sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, it captures all the flavors of a classic meatball sub in an easy-to-serve casserole format.
Ingredients
Bread Layer
- 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 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
Main
- 1 bag frozen Italian-style meatballs, thawed
- 24-ounce jar pasta sauce
Garnish (optional)
- Dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Arrange Bread: Place the Italian bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Fill in any gaps by adding extra bread pieces to create an even base.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth, then spread this creamy mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle half a cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese layer to add gooey, melty goodness.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Gently mix the thawed Italian-style meatballs with the jar of pasta sauce, ensuring the meatballs are well coated.
- Add Meatball Mixture: Spoon the sauced meatballs carefully over the cream cheese and mozzarella layer, spreading evenly.
- Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after baking, then slice into portions and serve warm. Optionally, garnish with dried parsley for a touch of color and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- If using homemade meatballs, cook them thoroughly before adding to the casserole.
- Italian seasoning can be adjusted or substituted with herbs like oregano and basil based on preference.
- To save time, thaw the meatballs overnight in the refrigerator or defrost in the microwave.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
