I love meatball subs but it is such a mess to serve to children. I also love one pan meals that are hearty and satisfying. This casserole meets both needs.
I adapted this recipe from a recipe found in the Food for Life cookbook. This cookbook was created to meet the needs of those following the Trim Healthy Mama diet. I don't know much about THM (something about separating fats from carbs?) and don't follow the diet myself (Okay, my real-life friends can quit rolling their eyes at the thought of Gina dieting.) but this cookbook looks like a great resource for those who do. It is a lovely cookbook with lots of photos that makes one just want to try a recipe.
I glanced through a friend's copy of the cookbook and found this meatball sub recipe, which has become a new family favorite.
I layer thick slices of sourdough bread in the bottom of a pan. You could use any kind of bread that you have on hand.
The creamy cheese layer is what makes this casserole so delicious.
I swapped the meatball recipe in the cookbook with my favorite meatball recipe. You could do the same.
Pour pizza sauce over the meatballs.
Layer on the cheese, slide in the oven and prepare for a yummy meal.
Meatball Sub Casserole
(Adapted from Food for Life)
2 lb ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup bread crumbs
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup tomato juice
6-7 thick pieces of sourdough bread (or other bread)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp pepper
1 quart spaghetti/pizza sauce
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
Mix ground beef, onion, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, eggs, and tomato juice. Shape into balls (I use a small cookie scoop.) Place on pan and bake in oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until cooked through. Cool.
Layer bread in a greased 9x13 pan.
Mix mayonnaise, Parmesan, cream cheese, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Spread over bread, sealing edges so the bread does not get soggy. Place meatballs over creamy layer.
Pour sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle on cheese. Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
That looks very yummy. I saw a Tasty video recipe recently that was very similar, but without the cream cheese: a can of refrigerator biscuits were cut up (each biscuit into 6 pieces) and placed in a 9x13 pan, a jar of pasta sauce was poured over them, small meatballs were tucked into the biscuit pieces, then shredded mozzarella was sprinkled over the top. Cook at 350* for about 30 min. Mine took longer (45 min?) as the biscuit pieces weren't cooked through.
ReplyDeleteI need to try your recipe, the cream cheese is calling my name...
I never though of using biscuits but that would work well.
DeleteCream cheese makes everything better.
Gina
This sounds good..but I am wondering..does the mayo help keep the bread from getting soggy? My hubby has a strong dislike for anything soggy! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think the cream cheese is what keeps it from getting soggy. I try to seal the edges to the pan so that the sauce doesn't drip down in the bread. I also assemble it right before placing it in the oven. I have cooked the meatballs the day before and assembled the next day.
DeleteGina
This looks like a must try! I also love meatball subs, but dislike the messiness.
ReplyDeleteThis will make an incredible dutch oven dish for camping! I have been fretting on what to make for my husband and I this year when we go north and you have saved the day! Bless you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'll have to put this on our list for our Dutch Oven Cook-off this summer.
DeleteGina
This recipe sounds wonderful! About how many do you think it would serve?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. At least 8 I would say. Our family had leftovers and that doesn't usually happen anymore, especially when it is something we love like this.
DeleteGina
Oh yummy! I can't wait to try this one!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Shaunda made sloppy joes as a one-dish meal too--put the meat mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan and then latticed strips of unbaked bread dough over the top, and baked till done. It was DELICIOUS! The two recipes remind me of each other.
Is this the meat ball recipe you used or did you use a different one? Also do you cook the meat balls before hand or just put them on raw? It looks good.
ReplyDeleteThis is the meatball recipe I use. I cook the meatballs first before layering in the casserole. I often make up a large batch of meatballs and freeze them.
DeleteGina