Meatball Sub Casserole
Meatball Sub Casserole is a super easy casserole dish that tastes like a meatball sub but in casserole form. So good and a family favorite!
A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINNER RECIPE
Raise your hand if you love meatball subs? Now how would you like to take all those flavors you love about a meatball sub and turn it into a casserole? Well, here ya go folks. This was the best tasting casserole I have had in a while. Not only was it super easy to make but the flavors blended so well together. The whole family loved it!
This was so good! I was looking for a recipe to use some meatballs I had in the freezer. I did not toast the bread in advance. I wanted it to soak up the sauce. It was really good. That cream cheese mixture really made it creamy. So good!
– Paige
TIPS FOR MAKING MEATBALL SUB CASSEROLE:
- Homemade meatballs can be used in this dish; however, you want them to be fully cooked before adding them to this dish. This is a family friendly meal and using the pre-made meatballs really makes this quick to make.
- I would definitely serve this with a salad. Perhaps a big, green salad full of veggies and maybe topped with my Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing And for dessert, how about some No-Bake Strawberry Tiramisu?
- For a softer casserole, don’t toast the bread first. For a more firm casserole, toast the french bread slices first.
- For a twist, try using thawed garlic Texas toast rather than the Italian bread.
- Store any leftovers (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze leftovers, as long as it is properly wrapped, to protect against freezer burn, for up to 3 months.
- I haven’t tried freezing this meal before cooking. You might be able to do it but you’d have to definitely add onto baking time so you’ll have to play that by ear and check it periodically to make sure the middle is fully cooked.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- Italian bread – French bread can be used here. Basically you don’t want a bread that is too soft or it will get too soggy.
- cream cheese – it’s really important that your cream cheese be fully softened or it will end up with lumps in it when you try to mix it.
- mayonnaise – I know mayonnaise might seem weird in here but I need you to trust me on this. It adds additional creaminess and another layer of flavor that really makes this creamy filling taste so good!
- Italian seasoning – if you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can just combine a bit of dried basil and dried oregano.
- shredded mozzarella cheese – I just buy the pre-shredded mozzarella cheese but you can certainly shred yours by hand if you prefer.
- frozen meatballs – I go with the Italian style meatballs and they do need to be thawed. I usually just put the bag in my refrigerator the night before I make this. They actually thaw out pretty quickly so you can also leave them out on the counter for an hour or two as well.
- pasta sauce – I am a fan of Rao’s pasta sauces but I know they can be on the pricey side so use what you enjoy or can afford. It will still work great!
HOW TO MAKE MEATBALL SUB CASSEROLE:
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Just fill in any gaps with smaller bits of bread. I did have a couple slices of bread leftover since my loaf of Italian bread was pretty wide. I used those extra slices to make some garlic bread to serve with this.
In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings.
Spread mixture over bread slices.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
Gently mix together spaghetti sauce and meatballs.
Spoon this mixture the over cheese layer.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes. If you notice it is getting too brown, you can always cover the dish loosely with a bit of aluminum foil.
Allow to cool for a few minutes then slice and serve!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
- Meatball Sub Cups
- Meatball Sub on a Stick
- Texas Toast Meatball Subs
- Italian Sub Squares
- Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Crock Pot Swedish Meatballs
- Homemade Meatballs
- Meatball Alfredo
- Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Originally published: May 2012
Updated photos & Republished: June 2023
Meatball Sub Casserole (+Video)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use
- 1 bag frozen Italian style meatballs, thawed
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce
- dried parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Fill in any gaps with pieces of bread.
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings. Spread mixture over bread slices.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Gently mix together spaghetti sauce and meatballs. Spoon over cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle the top evenly with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes. If you notice it is getting too brown, just loosely cover it with some aluminum foil.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes then slice and serve.
Video
Notes
- Please refer to my tips and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- For a firmer bread base, I recommend toasting the bread first. You can place the dish into the oven (on the broiler setting) and toast both sides. It should only take a minute or two.
- Note: frozen meatball packages come in varying sizes – anywhere from 18 ounces to 32 ounces. This recipe will accommodate most of those sizes. As long as you are grabbing a standard size bag and not a family size bag, it will work.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
I haven't found a Gooseberry Patch cookbook I haven't liked yet!! Thanks for the chance!!
I'm already planning on trying this casserole for my son when we visit him in the fall–he and his wife love meatball subs. And the casserole cookbook would be perfect because my husband would eat a casserole dinner every night of the week if I'd fix one.
I love the Gooseberry Patch books, and would love to own one even more.. Right now I just get their stuff online…
I Liked them on FaceBook, now follow them on Twitter, and Pinterest!!!
Their recipes are so fun and easy =)
Mmm, what a creative casserole 🙂 looks fantastic
I liked you both on Pinterest and FB. Thanks!
I could use new recipes and delicious meals for my family. Your blog is wonderful. I discovered your through Pinterest. I am so glad I did! Thanks for the giveaway.
This recipe sounds so yummy and just what a working wife needs to keep her DH happy. I love that recipes from the Gooseberry cookbooks use ingredients I already have in the kitchen. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
YUM – yet another recipe I have printed off immediately to try! I love those Gooseberry patch cookbooks. They make really good gifts. I have the Christmas one from years ago and love reading it for the cook's notes as well as the recipes.
I liked Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest.
I liked Gooseberry Patch on facebook.
And I already follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest!
Hi Brandie! Thanks for hosting the give-away! I would like to win this cookbook because my guys love casseroles and I love the ease of making them! Casseroles are our go to dish; sometimes with nothing on the side! Blessings from Bama!
I already follow Gooseberry Patch on Twitter!
I already follow Gooseberry Patch on Facebook!
I simply ADORE casseroles!! And then you go and throw in meatballs … I'm in love!! This recipe will definitely be on our table soon. And thanks for the chance to win this fabulous publication!
Gonna try this recipe soon. It looks easy and delicious. I adore casseroles. One dish meals..how much better does it get?
Oh brandie how i would love to win this cookbook, i always love casserole cookbooks. they are always so easy and usually very little ingredients. this meatball one awesome.
Looks delicious! Is the recipe on their webpage by chance? 🙂 Would love to win the cookbook!
rebekah1979@gmail.com
This meatball sub sounds delicious and easy 🙂 The Casserole cookbook would be great…sure there are many fantastic easy quick recipes in there for busy people like me!
Kay
goebel75 at aol dot com
I love the Gooseberry Patch. Have a few of their books. This casserole looks amazing!
I LOVE CASSEROLES! And I'm always on the hunt for new ones. I'll be adding this meat ball one to my list. (I can't possibly go wrong with it…I made your BBQ chicken pizza and my Hubby ate almost the whole thing. I should have made two.)
I'm a big fan of casseroles. I love assembling everything together in a dish, throwing it in the oven and then having a great dinner!
And on Pinterest too 🙂
I follow Gooseberry on Twitter.
I follow Gooseberry on FB.
I think casseroles are a busy mom's best friend, and since I seem to be getting busier by the minute, this book would be perfect.
oh this looks heavenly!
I made your BBQ cups last night.. and my husband ate 6 of them!! I could totally use this book because Im a stay at home mum of 2, with no cooking experience.. and I desperately need some help. This could go a long way in getting my little family on the road to healthy eating!
This would be a great book to add to my GB collection. I do a lot of cooking to take to my grandmother who just turned 80 in April. She does little to no cooking for herself so I am always trying to make extra or things that can freeze so she has quick easy meals to reheat.
Megan- Ladybugmeg78@gmail.com
I don't need the cookbook, but wanted to tell you that the casserole looks fantastic. Our family loves meatballs (especially the little one) and she'd flip over this. Thanks for sharing.
I also follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest! Dana
email: bananathorn@bellsouth.net
I also follow Gooseberry Patch on FB.
Dana
email: bananathorn@bellsouth.net
I would love to win the Gooseberry Patch cookbook because I love to try new recipes, especially for casseroles and one-pot meals, and because GB Patch recipes are usually quick and easy, my favorite kind of recipes! Thanks! Dana
email: bananathorn@bellsouth.net
This would be a great addition to my cookbook collection. Stumbled upon your blog looking for a new biscuit and found Butter Dip Biscuits, OMG – family loved, loved, loved!
Well you have got me started on gooseberry book, and I would love to have another one to ass to my collection.. Every working female should have a great cookbook for casseroles, since most of us don't have a "country cook" in our neighborhood
nanny_yaya81@yahoo.com
Amanda
I like gooseberry on facebook 🙂 nanny_yayay81@yahoo.com
Amanda
I already like gooseberry patch on facebook.
The meatball sub looks great. I'd love to win a copy of this cookbook to share recipes with my daughter that is expecting #3 (and my FIRST granddaughter) in 3 weeks from today!!
I follow gooseberry on Pinterest
carie44@hotmail.com
I follow gooseberry on Facebook
carie44@hotmail.com
I am getting married in 3 days and I would love this cookbook to make some yummy new recipes for my husband to be 🙂
carie44@hotmail.com
I already follow gooseberry on facebook – sownsbey@gmail.com
wonderful recipe and giveaway! Thank you – sownsbey@gmail.com
I would love to win this cookbook so I could try to make more casseroles! The seem so easy to make, but I have a hard time finding new one so this would be a big help! I love your ideas that you come up with!
Sktcjackson4@aol.com
Forgot my e-mail Address! Ooops!
zachwes12@yahoo.com
Thanks! Jen Dor
HI There! I would love to win the Gooseberry Patch Cookbook! I am probably the only person alive whom does not have even one of them! Hope that changes soon! 😉
I am a busy mom of two boys. I am currently attending college, and juggling family. It can be a struggle from time to time trying to figure out what to make for dinner. Really stuck in a rut and would love some new easy ideas. Love your blog! Thank you 🙂
The 101 Cozy Casseroles Cookbook would be useful for me because casseroles are not only cozy but they are great for mom's that work full time. My family and I love spending time together! Thanks for all that you do and I am going to try the Meatball Sub Casserole tonight.
Love the meatball sub casserole and would love the Gooseberry cookbook! Instructions followed. Please enter me in the drawing! teresa3607@gmx.com
I follow Gooseberry Patch on fb
pamhwkns55@yahoo.com
My family loves casseroles…but I think they are tired of the "same ole thing"… this book would give me some much needed new ideas!
pamhwkns55@yahoo.com
You lured me in with the Meatball sub, I would love to win the cookbook I am always looking for something different to try, I already like Gooseberry Patch on facebook, not a fan of twitter, love pinterst.
Lisa- ladybassfisher2@yahoo.com