Easy Italian Sub Casserole: Your New Go-To Cheesy, Meaty Family Dinner
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Craving the bold, savory flavors of a classic Italian sub sandwich but in a warm, comforting, and easy-to-make casserole? Look no further! This Italian Sub Casserole masterfully blends the best elements of a pizza, an Italian sub, and a hearty pasta bake into one spectacular dish. Imagine saucy, cheesy goodness combined with perfectly seasoned cured meats and fluffy, tender biscuit dough, all baked to golden perfection. It’s a meal that promises a symphony of flavors and textures, making it an instant family favorite.
This innovative casserole delivers a delightful twist on familiar comfort foods. With three distinct types of cured meats, two creamy cheeses, a rich marinara sauce, and convenient refrigerated biscuit dough, it bakes up into a truly unique and irresistible experience. Each bite offers a harmonious combination of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy notes, all held together by soft, pillowy biscuits that soak up the delicious sauce. It’s not just a meal; it’s an adventure for your taste buds, perfect for busy weeknights or a fun weekend gathering.
Essential Ingredients for Your Italian Sub Casserole
One of the beauties of this Italian Sub Casserole is its simplicity and reliance on readily available ingredients. You don’t need exotic items to create an incredibly flavorful dish that tastes like it took hours to prepare. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Refrigerated Biscuits: These are the secret weapon, providing a tender, bread-like base and top for the casserole. They expand beautifully, absorbing the sauce and creating a delightful texture.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Known for its incredible melt and stretch, mozzarella brings that classic, gooey, cheesy element every great casserole needs.
- Provolone Cheese: With its mild, slightly nutty flavor, provolone adds another layer of depth and creaminess, complementing the mozzarella without overpowering it.
- Deli Ham: Sliced and chopped, the ham contributes a savory, slightly salty taste that’s a staple in any good Italian sub.
- Pepperoni: A must-have for a hint of spice and that signature zesty flavor. As it bakes, the pepperoni crisps slightly and releases its aromatic oils, infusing the entire dish.
- Salami: Bringing a rich, garlicky, and peppery flavor, salami adds a robust character to the cured meat trio, making each bite more interesting.
- Marinara Sauce: The foundation of the casserole’s rich flavor, a good quality marinara ties all the ingredients together with its tangy, sweet tomato notes.
Making Italian Sub Casserole: An Incredibly Easy Process
You’ll be amazed at how quickly and effortlessly this Italian Sub Casserole comes together. With just a few simple steps, you can transform everyday ingredients into a gourmet-tasting meal that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe truly champions simplicity without sacrificing flavor!
Step 1: Prepare the Mixture. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your casserole starts baking evenly as soon as it goes in. Next, take your refrigerated biscuits and cut each one into six smaller, bite-sized pieces. These smaller pieces will ensure that the biscuit dough is evenly distributed throughout the casserole, allowing it to soak up all the delicious marinara sauce and cheese. Transfer the cut biscuit pieces to a large mixing bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients to the bowl, holding back about 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese for later. Gently but thoroughly stir everything together until the biscuit pieces, cured meats, and cheeses are well coated in the marinara sauce. This ensures every spoonful of your casserole is packed with flavor.
Step 2: Bake to Perfection. Generously spray a large casserole dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Pour the combined ingredients evenly into the prepared dish. Now, take the reserved 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese and sprinkle it generously over the top of the casserole. This final layer of cheese will melt into a beautiful, golden crust. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. This initial covered baking period, typically 20 minutes, helps the biscuits cook through evenly without browning too quickly. After 20 minutes, carefully remove the foil and return the casserole to the oven for another 20-25 minutes. During this uncovered baking time, the biscuits will turn golden brown and the cheese will become bubbly and irresistible.
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy! Once the biscuits are cooked through and have a beautiful golden-brown color, your Italian Sub Casserole is ready! The cheese should be perfectly melted and slightly bubbly, and the aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely divine. Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving; this helps the flavors meld and the casserole set slightly. Scoop out generous portions and prepare for a chorus of happy sighs from your family. This dish is best served warm, allowing the cheesy, meaty flavors to shine through.
Helpful Tips and Variations for Your Italian Sub Casserole
While this Italian Sub Casserole recipe is straightforward and delicious as is, there are many ways to customize it to your family’s preferences or make it even more convenient. Here are some detailed notes and ideas to help you get the best results every time:
- Scaling the Recipe: If you’re cooking for a smaller group or want leftovers, this recipe is easily halved. Use an 8×8 inch baking pan instead of a larger one. Simply divide all the ingredients by half, including the can of biscuits. If you only use half of a large can of biscuits, don’t let the other half go to waste! You can transform them into delicious Cinnamon Roll Biscuits for a sweet treat. For a larger crowd, you can double the recipe and bake it in a larger deep dish pan, increasing baking time slightly if needed.
- Choosing Your Biscuits: The type of refrigerated biscuits you use can significantly impact the final texture. I highly recommend Pillsbury Grands biscuits because of their buttery flavor and how wonderfully soft and pillowy they become once baked. However, feel free to use your favorite brand or any type of flaky or homestyle refrigerated biscuits. Just ensure they are the larger “Grand” style for the best dough-to-filling ratio.
- Meat and Cheese Customization: The beauty of a casserole is its versatility!
- Cheese Swaps: If provolone isn’t your preference, you can easily substitute it with more mozzarella, a sharp white cheddar, Swiss cheese, or even a blend of Italian cheeses like Asiago and Fontina for a richer flavor profile.
- Meat Varieties: Don’t love ham? No problem! You can do an all-pepperoni and salami casserole, or mix in other favorite cured meats like capicola, soppressata, or even cooked Italian sausage for a heartier meal. For those who prefer leaner options, cooked chicken or turkey breast, seasoned with Italian herbs, can also work, though it will change the “sub” flavor profile.
- Adding Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value and fresh flavor by incorporating some vegetables. Sautéed bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), onions, mushrooms, or black olives would be excellent additions. Just chop them into small pieces before mixing them in with the other ingredients.
- Spice Level Adjustment: If you like a little extra kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce. For a milder flavor, ensure your pepperoni isn’t too spicy, or opt for a sweet Italian sausage if using.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: This casserole is fantastic for prepping ahead of time. You can combine all the ingredients in the casserole dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just be sure to bring it closer to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking, and add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s still very cold.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftovers store beautifully! Cover the cooled casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or cover the entire casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
- Serving Suggestions: While delicious on its own, this Italian Sub Casserole pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette, or a side of garlic bread to sop up any extra sauce. It’s hearty enough to be a complete meal.
Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and comfort of this Italian Sub Casserole, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other fantastic casserole recipes. Casseroles are perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and feeding a crowd with minimal fuss. Here are some more of my top picks that I think you’ll adore:
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole: A vibrant and flavorful vegetarian option packed with Southwestern flair and gooey cheese.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole: All the classic flavors of Chicken Parm in an easy-to-bake, family-friendly dish.
Chicken Stuffing Casserole with Zucchini: A comforting and savory casserole featuring tender chicken, flavorful stuffing, and fresh zucchini.
Each of these recipes offers a unique taste experience while providing the same convenience and hearty satisfaction that make casseroles a beloved staple in homes everywhere.
Italian Sub Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 16.3 oz can refrigerated biscuits
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or shredded
- ⅓ cup provolone cheese, sliced thin or shredded
- ⅓ cup deli ham, chopped
- ⅓ cup pepperoni, chopped
- ⅓ cup salami, chopped
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉.
- Cut each of the biscuits into six smaller pieces. To a large bowl add all of the ingredients, except for 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine.
- Spray a large casserole dish with nonstick spray then pour in the combined ingredients. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until all of the biscuit pieces are cooked through. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.