Garlic Bread Casserole

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This Garlic Bread Casserole is layers of garlic bread, meat sauce, and gooey cheese. It makes a great simple family-friendly to make on a busy weeknight.

Prep Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: Serving

Calories: 454kcal

Author: Wendy

Equipment

Baking Dish
large skillet

Ingredients

8 slices frozen 5 cheese garlic bread
2 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese divided
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
48 ounces marinara sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the garlic bread in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or just until the bread is golden on the edges.
Sprinkle half of the cheese over the bread. Set aside.
While the bread bakes, place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and seasonings, crumbling the meat as it cooks, until completely browned. Drain the meat well and return it to the skillet.
Add the marinara sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring the meat sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Pour the meat sauce over the bread and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the edges are bubbling.

Notes

Use good-quality bread: Choose a sturdy loaf of bread, like a French or Italian loaf, that can hold up to being cubed and soaked in the egg and cream mixture. Stale bread works well too, as it will absorb more of the liquid. Or use regular old frozen garlic bread!

Add extra cheese on top: For a crispy and gooey finish, sprinkle some extra shredded cheese over the top of the casserole before baking. This will help create a golden brown and cheesy crust that everyone will love.

Don't overcook the casserole: Keep a close eye on the casserole as it bakes, and remove it from the oven as soon as it's set and golden brown. Overcooking can lead to a dry and tough casserole.

Add extra herbs and spices for extra flavor: Don't be afraid to play around with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of your garlic bread casserole. Experiment with fresh herbs like basil or oregano, or spices like red pepper flakes or paprika to give your casserole an extra kick.

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