Meatball Garlic Bread Casserole Recipe
This Meatball Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Layers of crispy garlic bread, creamy cheese mixture, savory meatballs, and flavorful pasta sauce combine to create a rich and satisfying casserole baked to perfection with a golden melted mozzarella topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf frozen garlic bread (roughly 10 to 14 ounces)
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup miracle whip
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Toppings
- 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 23 ounces red pasta sauce (any flavor, divided)
- 24 meatballs (cooked, fresh or thawed)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Bread: Bake the frozen garlic bread according to the package directions until fully cooked and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Adjust oven temperature to 350°F if needed. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese, miracle whip, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly but a few small lumps can remain for texture.
- Assemble Layers: Place a single layer of baked garlic bread on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 1/4 cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the bread. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the mozzarella. Spoon and spread half of the pasta sauce over the cream cheese layer. Arrange a single layer of meatballs on top of the sauce. Spread the remaining pasta sauce over the meatballs. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 1/4 cups of mozzarella cheese over the meatballs and sauce.
- Bake Casserole: Bake the assembled casserole uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are heated through.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with freshly chopped oregano if desired.
- Serve: Serve warm as a fulfilling main dish alongside a salad or vegetables.
Notes
- You can use fresh, homemade, or thawed frozen meatballs as preferred.
- If garlic bread size varies, adjust layering accordingly to cover the baking dish evenly.
- Miracle whip can be substituted with mayonnaise if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of parmesan before baking.
- The casserole can be prepared ahead up to assembly step and refrigerated, then baked before serving.
Keywords: Meatball casserole, garlic bread casserole, baked meatballs, mozzarella cheese casserole, easy dinner recipe
