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 love casseroles. This has been a really bad month, everything that could go wrong ,has went wrong. I do want to enter for this cook book. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!! Love the recipes
We love casseroles and this GP cookbook would be a source of some great new recipes!
If the meatball sub casserole is an indication of whats in the cookbook, sign me up. Can't wait to try it this weekend. I need more recipes I can fix in one dish.
Oops I meant to say I follow a GP on facebook
ranae2u@comcast.net
I follow GP on pinterest also
ranae2u@comcast.net
I follow GB on FB
ranae2u@comcast.net
I follow Gooseberry Patch on Facebook!
mmwright@bex.net
I love when my husband or son can cook for me as I work 12 hour shifts. I prepare meals on my days off, and they can pop it into the oven.
My son will be leaving soon to finish is college education in another state soon and this cookbook would be great for him.
I liked gooseberry on facebook too!
I follow you on pinterest!
Love, love, love casseroles and I love Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. This cookbook would give me more time to spend taking care of my little grandson who has CP than spend time in the kitchen. He is my heart! dslester91@ctxwifi.net
Wow! This book could be useful so I could make amazing recipes like this one! So simple, but I never thought of tossing these ingredients in the oven. Doh! What other recipes do you like from this book?
nicolerayos@gmail.com
I love looking at new cookbooks and trying new recipes just to "spice" up life… Pun intended!
monicasmith.rlt@gmail.com
I follow gooseberry patch on pinterest
hannah002g@gmail.com
This cookbook would be a useful cookbook to me because I am always looking for new recipes to try!
hannah002g@gmail.com
I'm a new mom trying to juggle work and family. This cookbook would be great at making good, quick meals at home so I can spend more time with my family.
e-mail: proulx.mel@gmail.com
Thank you for sharing! I would LOVE to try a Gooseberry Patch cookbook since I am having my elderly parents move in with me, and I am going to need easy to prepare but yummy meals, since I am going to have less time in my routine for cooking! Thanks again, to you and to the folks at Gooseberry Patch!
Kathryn.fristensky@gmail.com
I follow Gooseberry Patch on Pintrest!
Forgot my Email address too…guess I'm too excited about my husband coming home 🙂
Rita T….rjmdt316@yahoo.com
This recipe looks delicious! My husband has been on the East Coast working for 6 wks and is coming home this weekend. This looks like supper to me without having to spend alot of time in the kitchen! I would love to win the Gooseberry Patch cookbook. I follow on Pinterest.
Love Gooseberry Patch and this casserole looks so good. Cant wait to try it.
I like Gooseberry Patch on FB!
I follow Gooseberry Patch on Pinterest!
I love the Gooseberry Patch Catalogs and their cookbooks! Would love another one to bake from!
I Follow Gooseberry Patch on Twitter
I absolutely love your blog and I am a big fan of Gooseberry Patch! I am getting ready to put my menu for the next two weeks on my menu board and I think meatball sub casserole is definitely going to go on it! Can't wait to try it! While I already have a large cookbook collection, this one will be just as loved as the others. I love making casseroles and having leftovers! I follow GP on pinterest and I have liked them on FB…but I don't do twitter…don't like it! But anyway, thank you for a great opportunity and a fantastic blog!
Tiffany
tiffanyfarhner@yahoo.com
I make casseroles to take to family/friends when they've lost a loved one….or someone is in the hospital…..or for the arrival of a new baby. This casserole would be perfect! I definitely need this cookbook! furball91@suddenlink.net
This recipe sounds delish…we will be trying it soon. I have a 12 yr old & an 11 yr old. I can't seem to satisfy their hunger. A new recipe book would be wonderful!
Barb M. bam1968@hotmail.com
I really am interested in the 101 I want to share it with my daughter who got a 143 out of 150 possible points on her cookbook project for her foods & nutrition class. She just started helping cook suppers after school for me and she did alot of casseroles for her project. I think it would be great to give to her for her good work on her project.
Linda Gamble
We are a follower also on pinterest! 🙂
We are a follower of yours on Twitter
I am already a follower of yours on Facebook!
B. McGee
This cookbook would definitely get lots of use at our house between a teenage son; a tween daughter who loves Goosebery Patch & likes to cook and hubby who likes to make new things in the kitchen!
Maybe I can give him a dinner break & create a new dinner menu for our upcoming Anniversary??
suser99@yahoo.com
Just found u luv this recipe will be on our menu tomorrow I follow gooseberry on facebook and pininterest THANK YOU would luv this cook book Jaci @ vw2005bug@yahoo.com
I follow GP on twitter
keshakeke@aol.com
I follow GP on Pinterest
keshakeke@aol.com
I like Gooseberry Patch on Facebook
keshakeke@aol.com
I would love to win this cookbook because my family loves casseroles! I would have many different casseroles I could fix instead of the same ones!
keshakeke@aol.com
Sign me up. I'm now following you both facebook and pinterest. 😛
dolleve@yahoo.com
I follow all Gooseberry patch posts and their partners when I learn of them. Would love this cookbook!
I now follow Gooseberry on Pinterest too… my first Pin – I'm such a newby, but there sure is a LOT of info out there!
Thanks,
Tess
I 'like' Gooseberry Patch on Facebook – they sure have lots of 'connections'
Tess
That meatball casserole looks like it would even please my "15 1/2" year old daughter even – she is such a 'hard-to-please' critic, but I'm sure I could conquer her teen-critique with this one. Would love to win this book for some great new casserole ideas for a busy single mom with 2 starving teens. Thanks for sharing!
Tess
I follow Gooseberry Patch on Twitter- @tlcfromtn
braaisjo at gmail dot com
I like Gooseberry Patch on Facebook- terry cross
braaisjo at gmail dot com
This would be useful to me because casseroles are my favorite thing to make.
braaisjo at gmail dot com
I like gooseberry patch on FB. Paula Lee
jandplee at att dot net
My husband loves casseroles and I'm always trying to come up with new ideas.
jandplee at att dot net
I cook from a wheelchair and I have happily been able to cook with ease thanks to you!
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