Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole Bake
Experience the warm embrace of flavors with this Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole Bake. A delightful marriage of hearty meatballs, creamy cheese layers, tangy spaghetti sauce, and crusty Italian bread, this dish is a perfect winter supper treat. The whole family will enjoy getting involved, especially when it comes to rolling the meatballs into joyfully messy spheres. Suitable for both children and adults, this comfort dish is not only delicious but also a great way to sneak in some vegetables for added nutrition.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1/3 cup (chopped)
breadcrumbs or crushed saltine
1/4 cup
parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (grated)
ground beef or ground venison
1 lb
Italian bread
1 loaf (1-inch cubes)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
mayonnaise
1/2 cup
mixed Italian herbs
1 teaspoon ((basil, oregano...))
salt and pepper
to taste
mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
spaghetti sauce
1 quart
water
1 cup
garlic cloves
4 (minced or pressed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped onions, breadcrumbs (or crushed saltines), and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix into the ground beef (or venison) until well combined.
3
Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until they are no longer pink in the center.
4
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
5
Arrange Italian bread cubes evenly in an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish.
6
In a separate bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Spread this creamy mixture over the bread cubes.
7
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the cream cheese layer.
8
In a saucepan, combine the spaghetti sauce, water, and minced garlic. Heat until warmed through. Gently add the meatballs to the sauce and mix to coat.
9
Pour the meatball and sauce mixture over the mozzarella cheese layer in the baking dish.
10
Sprinkle the remaining cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
11
Bake the casserole uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, until the top is bubbly and fragrant.
12
For added flavor and nutrition, consider using half cheddar and half mozzarella cheese, adding sliced black olives, or incorporating grated zucchini into the layers.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole Bake?
It is a hearty comfort dish featuring meatballs, creamy cheese layers, tangy spaghetti sauce, and crusty Italian bread cubes baked together.
What meat can be used for the meatballs?
The recipe suggests using either 1 pound of ground beef or ground venison.
How do I prepare the bread for the casserole?
Use one loaf of Italian bread and cut it into 1-inch cubes before arranging them in the baking dish.
What temperature should the oven be for baking the meatballs?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) to bake the meatballs initially.
How long do the meatballs need to bake on their own?
Bake the 1-inch meatballs for 15-20 minutes until they are no longer pink in the center.
What are the ingredients for the meatball mixture?
The mixture includes ground meat, chopped onions, breadcrumbs or saltines, and grated Parmesan cheese.
What is in the creamy layer of the casserole?
The creamy layer is made by mixing softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
The recipe requires 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese in total.
How is the mozzarella cheese divided in the recipe?
Use 1 cup of mozzarella over the cream cheese layer and the remaining 1 cup on the very top of the casserole.
What size baking dish is recommended?
An ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish is the standard size for this casserole.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased 13x9 inch baking dish.
What temperature should the oven be for the final bake?
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) for the final casserole assembly and bake.
How long does the completed casserole bake?
The casserole should bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
Can I substitute breadcrumbs in the meatballs?
Yes, you can use crushed saltine crackers as an alternative to breadcrumbs.
What seasonings go into the cream cheese mixture?
One teaspoon of mixed Italian herbs like basil and oregano, plus salt and pepper to taste.
How do I prepare the sauce?
Heat one quart of spaghetti sauce with one cup of water and four cloves of minced garlic in a saucepan.
Is the casserole covered or uncovered during baking?
The casserole is baked uncovered for the final 30 minutes.
Can I add extra vegetables to this dish?
Yes, you can add sliced black olives or incorporate grated zucchini into the layers for more nutrition.
Can I use a different type of cheese for the topping?
The recipe suggests you can use a mix of half cheddar and half mozzarella for different flavor.
What is the first step in assembling the layers?
The first step is arranging the Italian bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
How much onion is needed for the meatballs?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chopped onion.
How much garlic is included in the sauce?
The recipe uses 4 garlic cloves, which should be minced or pressed.
How do I know the meatballs are ready to be added to the sauce?
They are ready when they are no longer pink in the center after 15-20 minutes of baking.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is described as a kid-friendly comfort dish that the whole family will enjoy.
Why is water added to the spaghetti sauce?
One cup of water is added to thin the sauce slightly so it can properly coat the meatballs and soak into the bread cubes.
How much cream cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
What determines when the casserole is finished baking?
The casserole is done when the top layer of cheese is bubbly and the dish is fragrant.
What makes this a good winter meal?
Its hearty nature, warm flavors, and comforting layers make it an ideal winter supper.
How much mayonnaise is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of mayonnaise for the cream cheese layer.
Can I involve my family in making this?
Yes, the description mentions that rolling the meatballs is a great way for the whole family to get involved.