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Cheesy Garlic Bread Meatball Bake

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This Cheesy Garlic Bread Meatball Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining buttery, garlicky bread cubes, juicy homemade meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and loads of melty cheese in one easy, crowd-pleasing casserole. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, it’s a family favorite that comes together in under an hour with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large French baguette or Italian loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 16 oz)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded provolone or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
  • Extra parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss in bread cubes and mix until coated.
  3. Spread the coated bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
  4. In another bowl, mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) until just combined.
  5. Form mixture into 1½-inch meatballs (about 20 meatballs). Place meatballs on top of bread cubes.
  6. Pour marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs and bread, making sure to coat everything.
  7. Sprinkle mozzarella and provolone (if using) evenly over the top.
  8. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden and meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
  10. Let bake cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture. For a shortcut, use thawed frozen meatballs. Easily adapted to gluten-free or dairy-free with appropriate substitutions. Don’t overmix meatballs for tenderness. Let the bake rest before serving for easier slicing. Leftovers taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy garlic bread, meatball bake, casserole, family dinner, comfort food, Italian, easy dinner, kid-friendly, one pan, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cheesy-garlic-bread-meatball-bake-recipe-easy-family-favorite-dinner/