Easy Meatball Sub Casserole

I was feeling rotten all day with a bad headache, so I wanted something quick and easy to throw together after work.  This super easy casserole fit the bill with the flavors we love without any fuss. I added a simple salad and called it a night.

Some of the food I make is more "girlie;" and while I'm sure the ladies would enjoy this just as much, this one just seems like it would be a great bet if you have a bunch of guys over.  Even the next day, it heat up beautifully for leftover lunch.  The texture is almost like a savory Italian bread pudding!


Print this Recipe!


Ingredients: 

• Loaf of French bread
• 1 large clove of garlic
• 8 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp lite mayonnaise
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 pound frozen meatballs, thawed out enough to cut in half
• 1 can spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

 
Step-by-Step:

Into an oven safe casserole dish, we will just layer in the ingredients, starting with the thick slices of French bread.  Toast the bread in the oven until golden brown.  Immediately rub the bread with the cut side of a large garlic clove when you remove the bread from the oven.  The garlic will actually start melting down into the bread, giving it a great flavor.  Remember - season each layer of your food for the best flavor at mealtime!  (Alternative - I bet you could use slices of the frozen "Texas Toast," some of which have varying degrees of garlic, cheese, etc already on them.  Just a thought.)

rub hot toast with a cut clove of garlic

For the next layer, combine the 8oz softened cream cheese, 2 Tbsp lite mayo, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning.  Spread this on top of the toasted bread.

On top of the cream cheese layer, add the thawed meatballs which you have cut in half.  Be generous.  Place them side by side, touching each other.  If you are as impatient as I am, you probably popped them into the microwave to thaw them.  Oh heck yeah I do that!

On top of the meatballs, add the whole large can of spaghetti sauce.  I like this canned sauce for this recipe because it's smooth, it has a good flavor, and it's cheap!

On top of the sauce, add your cheeses.  Oh how I love cheese!  Sprinkle with just a tad more Italian seasoning if you'd like, or dried basil.

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

a bit of Italian seasoning or dried basil as garnish

Bake covered for 30 min at 350 degrees.  Then about 5 minutes or so uncovered just until the cheese is the perfect amount of melted!  I bought (and chopped) some fresh basil to garnish the top with, but darn it if I didn't forget all about it! See... I told you I had an awful headache.

This recipe goes very well with a simple side salad.  The acidity and crunch of the salad helps balance out this rich, creamy casserole.

I was really impressed by how nicely the reheated for my lunch the next day.  The flavors seem to come together even more... as it does for many Italian dishes.

I hope you've enjoyed this recipe.  If you would like to see what else I've been cooking up, hop on over to my Recipe Index and check it out for tons of ideas!

Connect with me!  If you are new to MenuMusings, click here to subscribe so you won't miss a thing!  I'll send you notifications of new posts to help you avoid the cooking rut!  You can also follow me on Pinterest or on the MenuMusings Facebook page.

Order the MenuMusings Cookbook!

 
Here are some bonus recipes for you.
Baked Chicken Taquitos

Beefy Crunch Wrap Supremes

Hoppin' John Fritters

Cranberry Orange Muffins with Brown Sugar Pecan Crumble Topping

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Spicy Garlic Aioli

Black Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza

Written Method:

Into an oven safe casserole dish, we will just layer in the ingredients, starting with the thick slices of French bread.

Toast the bread in the oven until golden brown.  Immediately rub the bread with the cut side of a large garlic clove when you remove the bread from the oven.  The garlic will actually start melting down into the bread, giving it a great flavor.  Remember - season each layer of your food for the best flavor at mealtime!  (Alternative - I bet you could use slices of the frozen "Texas Toast," some of which have varying degrees of garlic, cheese, etc already on them.) 

For the next layer, combine the softened cream cheese, mayo, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.  Spread this on top of the toasted bread.

On top of the cream cheese layer, add the thawed meatballs which you have cut in half.  Be generous.  Place them side by side, touching each other.  If you are as impatient as I am, you probably popped them into the microwave to thaw them.  Oh heck yeah I do that!

On top of the meatballs, add the whole large can of spaghetti sauce.  

On top of the sauce, add your cheeses.  Oh how I love cheese!  Sprinkle with just a tad more Italian seasoning if you'd like, or dried basil.

Bake covered for 30 min at 350 degrees.  Then about 5 minutes or so uncovered just until the cheese is the perfect amount of melted!  I bought (and chopped) some fresh basil to garnish the top with, but darn it if I didn't forget all about it!