This Meatball Marinara Bubble Bake is comfort food at its finest! Everything you love about a meatball sub, but as a flavor-packed casserole. Enjoy!
Three Cheers for Bubble Bake!
This is our very first bubble bake here on The Cheese Knees and we are READY FOR IT. There are many flavor variations of bubble bakes on the internet, and today we’re sharing a meatball marinara bubble bake that comes together in 6 ingredients — can you say HIP HIP HOORAY?!
What is Bubble Bake?
Bubble bake gets its name because it combines pieces of biscuit dough with other ingredients and then is baked to bubbly perfection. For this bubble bake we’re using meatballs, marinara sauce and cheese — YUM!
why you’ll love it!
6 ingredients: this bubble bake comes together with 6 simple ingredients!
Ready in under an hour: that is right! From start to finish, you’ll have this bubble back on the table in 60 minutes, making it a great weeknight meal.
Serves a crowd: looking to serve a crowd or a big family? This is your meal!
Bubble Bake Ingredients
This bubble bake comes together in 6 easy ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Refrigerated biscuits: you’ll be cutting the biscuits into 1/4 chunks and placing right into the casserole to bake to chewy yummy perfection.
- Marinara sauce: any jarred marinara sauce will work. or feel free to sub for your favorite pasta sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: feel free to shred your own or use a pre-shredded variety.
- Frozen beef meatballs: any frozen meatball will work, so choose your favorite here.
- Italian seasoning: our sister site Fit Foodie Finds has an amazing homemade Italian seasoning that we love to use for this bubble bake.
- Fresh basil: you’ll be thinly slicing the basil and garnishing your bubble bake when it’s ready to serve.
Our Favorite
Casserole Dish
This le creuset casserole dish is our all time favorite casserole dish! The white color rocks, it has a cover, and it’s great for so many dishes.
How to Make Bubble Bake
Preheat & Prep
Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and place them into a large bowl. Next, add the marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, meatballs, and Italian seasoning, and fold everything together.
Assemble Bubble Bake
Transfer the biscuit mixture into the casserole dish and top with the remaining mozzarella.
Bake, Garnish & Enjoy!
Bake for 45 minutes uncovered. Let rest for 10 minutes, and then garnish with thinly sliced basil before serving. Enjoy!
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Marinara sauce –> Any pasta sauce
Beef meatballs –> Any frozen meatballs
Shredded mozzarella –> Any shredded Italian cheese blend
Add Ins
- Diced bell peppers
- Diced onions
- Sliced black olives
What to Serve with Bubble Bake
We love serving this bubble bake along side a fresh salad! Some of our favorites include:
- Lemon Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Salad
- Arugula Goat Cheese Salad
- Easy Caesar Salad
Storage
After the bubble bake is baked, let cool completely before placing in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To reheat the bubble bake, let it come to room temperature and then reheat covered in the oven at 350ºF until the cheese melts and the middle of the bubble bake is warm.
To Freeze Bubble Bake
Let the bubble bake cool completely before covering the entire dish with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat the bubble bake, let the dish come to room temperature and then reheat covered in the oven at 350ºF until the cheese melts and the middle of the bubble bake is warm.
Bubble Bake
Ingredients
- 16.3 oz. can refrigerated biscuits
- 24 oz. jar marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce
- 8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese divided (~2 cups)
- 1 lb. frozen beef meatballs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup fresh basil thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces and place them into a large bowl.
- Next, add the marinara sauce, 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella, meatballs, and Italian seasoning. Fold together gently so that everything is covered in sauce and the biscuits keep their shape.
- Transfer the biscuit mixture into the casserole dish and top with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake for 45 minutes uncovered. Let rest for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with thinly sliced basil before serving.
