Italian Meatball Sandwich Casserole

All the ingredients for a meatball sandwich are here, just assembled in a different manner. This recipe is always a hit at our house. We never have any leftovers, it is so good!

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Course lunch/dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 people

Calories 6208.5 kcal

Equipment

2 Mixing Bowls
1 Baking Pan For pre-baking meatballs
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For casserole assembly
1 Spatula or wooden spoon
1 Measuring Cups and Spoons

Ingredients

Main

⅓ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound ground beef
1 1 pound loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups spaghetti sauce
1 cup water Optional
2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Mix onions, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ground beef together in a bowl. Roll mixture into even-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter; place in a baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven until beef is no longer pink, 15 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Arrange bread cubes in a single layer in an ungreased 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and black pepper together until smooth. Spread this mixture over each bread cube. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the grated mozzarella cheese. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Mix spaghetti sauce, water (if using), and garlic together in a large bowl. Gently stir in meatballs; pour over bread and cheese mixture in the baking pan. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Photographer: Kyle Carpenter / Food Styling: Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling: Prissy

Notes

For truly tender meatballs, avoid overmixing the ground beef mixture; gentle handling is key. Ensure meatballs are uniformly sized for even baking. To prevent a soggy bread base, consider lightly toasting the Italian bread cubes in the oven for 5-7 minutes before spreading the cream cheese mixture. This adds a crucial textural contrast. Enhance the sauce by sautéing the minced garlic briefly before stirring into the spaghetti sauce, allowing its aroma to develop fully. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick. For an elevated cheese pull and flavor, blend shredded mozzarella with a small amount of provolone or Parmesan. Finish with fresh chopped basil or parsley after baking for vibrant color and aroma.