A Meatball Sub Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish that captures all the flavors of a classic meatball sub sandwich in a convenient casserole form. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef or a combination of beef and pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form Meatballs:
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have approximately 24 meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a bit of oil to prevent sticking, if needed. Cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.
- Prepare the Bread Layer:
- Place the cubed Italian or French bread in a large mixing bowl.
- Make Butter-Garlic Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Drizzle the melted butter-garlic mixture over the bread cubes and toss to coat. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Layer the Casserole:
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread half of the garlic-buttered bread cubes. Pour 1 cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bread layer. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese and half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Add Meatballs:
- Place the cooked meatballs evenly over the cheese layer.
- Repeat Layering:
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining bread cubes, marinara sauce, and cheeses.
- Bake:
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly, and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top if desired. Serve your Meatball Sub Casserole while it’s hot.
This Meatball Sub Casserole is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for feeding a family or a group of hungry guests. It captures the essence of a classic meatball sub in a convenient and comforting casserole form. Enjoy!