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.
This looks amazing! I am so very tired of the same chicken, chicken and more chicken. What a treat this would be! I hope there are more interesting and exciting recipes in the book!! Walker8534@bellsouth.net
Simply put, the simple recipes that look simply delicious, and simplify my life, simply add delight to the tummies of those I love. I subscribe to the KISS theory!
I like Gooseberry Patch on Facebook
This book would be useful to me because I'm always on the lookout for more meal ideas. 🙂
I follow Gooseberry Patch on twitter as @southerncooker
I'd love this one. Casseroles are great weeknight meals. The meatball one sounds divine.
I'm always looking for tasty, simple recipes – I've run into quite a few Gooseberry Patch recipes and they really 'fill the bill' – especially EASY!
Thank you for this opportunity!
I follow GBP on pinterest
I am a fan of GBP on facebook
I would love, love, love to have this cookbook. I love casseroles.
I thought about this all day and had to make it tonight. Looks delish! I know my hubby will love it!
I, like you, love Gooseberry Patch. They have great everything. This casserole book looks great and yummy. Thanks for the great job you do.
i cook for my small group on wednesday nights, this would be awesome to make ahead and just warm up. I love the idea of having new recipes to try
Making it now Brandie but I didn't read thawed meatballs so am cooking them first. I hope I don't ruin it!! Barb aka Snowmanlover!
i love to make casseroles. they are so easy for midweek dinners.
alvinearl1 at gmail dot com
New mom of two week old twins, have a 7 yr old, 3 yr old, and a 21 month old. I was on bedrest for 4 weeks and my church organized and provided meals for us. The casseroles worked out great. I would use this book to "give back" by helping others in similar situations with the meal train.
I follow GP on pinterest too as labellaluna…ciao4now64 at yahoo dot com.
I like GP on fb….ciao4now64 at yahoo dot com.
This would be a fantastic cookbook for me. My family and I just love casseroles….ciao4now64 at yahoo dot com.
I have a variety of cookboos, and would like to add this one to my collection.
Oh my, this recipe sounds sooooo good I can hardly wait for the book. Our family's schedule works really well with casserole suppers and I truly enjoy Gooseberry Patch books so I would love to win this copy.
Thank you for the offering. – Linda
Southstar3@mvtel.net
I would gift this to my son. He recently got married and he has begun texting me "Mom, What should I make for dinner?" They have no cookbooks and are already tired of the meals they know how to make.
What's not to love about this casserole??? My family would love this…and it's so simple 🙂 And I'm always game for a new cookbook..especially one with family friendly recipes like this!
And I follow them on Pinterest too
And I like Gooseberry Patch on FB!
MY kids would absolutely LOVE this meatball sub casserole! Any cookbook with that recipe has to be good. What a great addition to the library!
I can't wait to try the meatball sub receipe. I would love to add this cookbook to my little collection of receipes that I use to feed my family.
rayleen90@hotmail.com
I'm an avid cook and so enjoy making new recipes. Have never seen your page but so many of the recipes look very inviting I would love to try them. amhbear@centurylink.net
Already follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest as Blue Strong and follow them on FB as Blue Strong!
myboyblue11@gmail.com
Have been making casseroles as long as I can recall. But never Meatball Sub Casserole! My husband will adore me for this one! And I would love to be adored even more if I won the cookbook! Need to try new yummy recipes! Need this Gooseberry Patch Cookbook! TY for the chances!
myboyblue11@gmail.com
Always looking for recipes that our family would enjoy.
I would LOVE this cookbook because I don;t have a single one. I love to cook and bake, but cant figure out why I dont own a cookbook yet? lol And I don't have any casserole recipes. Casseroles could save my life, I work 60 hrs a week, go to school full time, and have 2 children 2 & under that keep be veryy busy all week long. Anything I could pop in the oven and continue to work on house things would be greatly appreciated 🙂
This looks delish by the way! I absolutely love meatball subs!
Erin
x0xmiss.erinx0x@gmail.com
This cookbook would be great for me because it is just my husband & I. We could enjoy leftovers & not have to cook every night.
I would really like to win this cookbook, I love trying new recipes! Thanks.
Angela Regan
I forgot to leave my e-mail address. It is tmk22911@gmail.com Thanks for the opportunity to win this cookbook.
As a single mom of three boys I am always looking for quick and easy dinner ideas. Gooseberry Patch recipes never fail me.
i follow on twitter too!
i follow gooseberry patch on twitter!
This would be useful for me because I go away to the shore every weekend in the summer, and could prepare a casserole so i dont have to worry about cooking every night
Brenda here, I just liked Gooseberry Patch on facebook. Isabolsmom@aol.com
chapinranch@tds.net
was so yummy thinking about the cassarole forgot the e-mail addy LOL
How wonderfully yummy and such a great idea.
I would really love to have these recipe book and have many quick and easy recipes for such busy days here on the farm , I can just smell the food you described in this post so yummy my mouth waters . Going to have to try this recipe tonight 🙂
I'm following Goosberry Patch's boards on Pinterest.
I forgot to leave my email address on my comment above, my meatball loving husband just got up and distracted me. :0) Brenda – isabolsmom@aol.com
I am a Facebook fan of Gooseberry Patch.
I would love to win the Gooseberry Patch cookbook not only did you just post something my husband loves (meatballs) , I'm starting a new job on Monday and this would be a great book for me. I could put everything together before I go to work and my husband could put in in the oven and finish it for me.
I love one-dish meals. I work part-time as a substitute teacher, so there are days that I don't know I have to work until that morning. This cookbook would be great to have so I can mix up supper & put it in he oven, making evenings with three kids w/ homework much easier!
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