For those of you who don’t live in the southeast United States or are unfamiliar with Publix, the grocery store frequently features samples of recipes they create. One person makes the entire recipe in the middle of the grocery store and then offers bites of it to people as they walk by. I’m never one to shy away from samples, so I always take one and am often impressed with just how delicious the recipes are and end up making them at home all the time. Publix, your plan is working!
I hope you enjoy it, too!
Meatball Casserole
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Lightened Up Meatball Casserole
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: chicken/turkey recipes, dinner, lunch/dinner recipes, recipes
- Cuisine: dinner
Description
Today’s recipe is a lightened up version of Publix’s meatball casserole. It’s simple to make and was a big hit in our house.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (8 ounce) whole wheat baguette
- 15 – 18 frozen all-natural turkey meatballs
- 2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fat-free Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy goat cheese (I used Chavrie original goat cheese)
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 18 ounces marinara sauce (3/4 of a standard 24-ounce jar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cut baguette into one-inch-thick slices and arrange in baking dish, packing tightly to fit.
- Combine goat cheese, Greek yogurt and spices and spread mixture over bread slices. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake 6 – 7 minutes until cheese bubbles.
- Cook meatballs according to package microwave directions. Stir marinara sauce into meatballs and pour on top of cheesy bread. Top with remaining cup of mozzarella cheese and bake 5 – 7 minutes until cheese melts and sauce is hot.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Publix Aprons Meatball Casserole.
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Casseroles are some of my favorite dishes to make. They’re super easy and are perfect for a crowd. I love the idea of a meatball casserole! It sounds delicious and I think my husband would be a big fan too! What brand of all-natural turkey meatballs do you buy?
aidells! 🙂
This sounds fantastic! And so easy! Publix Apron Meals are the best. Especially when feeling snacky while shopping. Yum, I can’t wait to try it! 🙂
I moved from Florida two years ago to North Carolina and….. we are scheduled to get our first Publix outside of Raleigh in 2014!!!!!!
Happy Birthday/Christmas to me!
you will love it! 🙂 publix is the best!
Shut up! We are getting a Publix in the Raleigh-Durham area?!?! I LOVE Publix and wish there was one. Going to look this up now!
Oh my yum! That looks amazing. I adore Publix. Their bakery is incredible.
This is seriously my kind of meal. Over the years I’ve grown to like turkey meatballs better than the regular kind. I would normally make something like this with pasta, but I like the idea of bread at the bottom. Thanks for sharing!
Yum! Funny that you share a recipe today, bc yesterday I was flipping through the May issue(yes, I’m a little behind) of Women’s Health, and your name appeared giving cooking tips, and in my head, I was all, “I know that person.”-then I realized I actually don’t! Haha But, good tips! 🙂
How cool! And I’m so glad you liked the tips!!
Yum this looks delicious! I Just made meatballs this past week, but this would be a fun way to switch things up! I am going to have to keep this in mind!
This looks so good!!! I’ll be by a Panera today so I’ll pick up the bread and swing by a Trader Joes for the rest. What a great Sunday Supper idea! I like when I can pretty accurately know the calorie count of what we eat and this seems easy to calculate. Thanks.
Looks delicious — and perfect for fall!
When I was a little girl I lived in Florida and would go every Sunday to get my free cookie at Publix. This post brought me back to that sunday morning cookie 🙂 have a great week love and shine Courtstar
I love the Publix Aprons meals! The sample lady knows me, too, haha. I they really are inspiring when you’re not sure what to cook! Casseroles are usually so easy and quick, the prefect mid week meal. Plus, then you have left overs for lunch 🙂
I never thought to put bread on the bottom to make a meatball casserole! It probably sops up all the yummy marinara!
I lived in Miami for 3 years and one of the things I miss most is Publix! Such an awesome grocery store!
this sounds fantastic and super easy!
I LOVE the Publix Aprons meals. I also love how the featured meal will provide ALL of the ingredients you’ll need right next to the sample lady. I recently made the sausage and veggie pasta as well as the bacon horseradish cheeseburgers. They were delicious. I need to try the meatball casserole!
Droooooooling. I miss homemade food! Stuck with the dining hall mess… 🙁
We relocated from PA to south FL in 2005 and that move started our love-affair with Publix. When we moved to SC in 2010, I wanted to be as close to one as possible and so now we are within walking distance!! 3/4 of a mile to be exact!! They are a great all-around grocery!! Maybe one day I’ll write an ode and send it in to them :o) LOL
What brand of frozen turkey MB did you use?? I have yet to find a good frozen MB! Unfortunately I live in NJ so no Publix (yet)..but we do have Wegmans which is wonderful 🙂 Casserole looks yummy!
I have wanted to try goat cheese….it was really expensive the couple places I looked.
I love going to Publix whenever we head down to Florida. The employees are always so friendly! But maybe that’s just the Southern hospitality 😉
This meatball casserole looks absolutely delicious!! My family would certainly love it.
What a great idea! I would be up with a plate out ready for samples too. First in line! I love being able to test out new recipes that I can then make at home.
That sounds awesome! I’m a sucker for goat cheese.
At first look at this post’s title, I assumed this dish was going to be gross since I’m Italian and am used to traditional spaghetti and meatballs type meals, but after looking at this recipe, my mind is changed! Looks yummy! P.S. I used to spend a lot of time in Florida and always couldn’t wait to go into Publix during my trips.. love their deli sandwiches!
Yum that looks amazing!! We don’t have Publix here in Australia but I so wish that we did. Even our Costco doesn’t offer the same level of samples as the ones in the US.
Is someone kind enough to calculate the calories for me? 0:) Even though I literally already made this tonight for me and my fiance….thank you PBF for a recipe in a pinch!
I calculated it to about 370 calories per serving. Feel free anyone to correct me! Just an estimate using a calorie counter.
Oh, I just did but the calories are only right if you use the ingredients I listed. I hope that helps!
Wow ummmmm I wish I could eat dinner at your house now, hehe. This looks soooo scrumptious Julie! I’m guessing that Publix if OUR Albertsons/Ralph’s here in Socal? I wish they gave out samples, though!
I LOVE how this post revolved around Publix. I work there and smile every time you mention the store because it’s something I can relate too. Of course the aprons ladies gives us employees helpings of great food too! Did you try the fruit on top of the cinnamon roll a few weeks ago? yum!!!
A meatball casserole?! Am I the only one that’s never heard of this/thinks it’s the greatest idea ever? YUM! And Publix is amaaazing! Have you ever been to a Wegman’s – that place totally takes the cake!
-Sammy @ peaceandloveandicecream.blogspot.com
Sounds delicious and easy! Great recipe. Will be giving this one a go for sure.
Ahh jealous I wish there was a Public in Pittsburgh. For now, I enjoy the occasional Trader Joe’s free sample. I’m always up for samples!
This looks so good! Sounds like something the husband will love and also remain pretty healthy. Thanks for the idea!
This looks great! I love the apron recipes and will def give this a try soon!
this looks and sounds amazing!! Might have to make it soon:)
Nothing compares to the outstanding customer service you get at Publix. Needless to say, I missed the smiles and samples while living in D.C. last fall. I was a happy camper when I returned!
Sounds delicious – like the perfect way to warm up on a cool day. I visited FL last spring and was really impressed by all the recipes and free information about cooking Publix gave away. I came home with lots of cooking tips and recipes!
This looks like a perfect fall/winter comfort meal. Thanks for posting! I definitely pinned this one and can’t wait to try it.
Wheee! Just what I needed today! I was taking a break from meal planning to catch up on your blog and I have marinara sauce in my fridge that I need to use up along with shredded mozzarella and pretty sure I have frozen meatballs in my freezer. Plus my husband will love this! Thanks!
Oh that looks super tasty! I love Sam’s club because of their samples. It sounds like I need a publix too. You can never have too many samples right 😀
I will be making this recipe this week! NOM!
Looks delicious! When I lived at Disney, I adored Publix. Unfortunately, we don’t have one back in Mississippi, but I do love Kroger. Anywhere that provides samples has my heart! 🙂
My grandfather is the Aprons chef at the Publix in Port Saint Lucie and LOVES it. He has so much fun talking to everyone and having them sample the recipes, and he loves to show off for us when we visit, too. I proudly use my Aprons cookbook regularly!
What cheese would be ok to sub the goat cheese with?
I’m wondering the same thing due to an allergy!
Thanks 🙂
This looks so delicious! Do you use fresh or dried seasoning?
I live in FL too and have never tried a Publix recipe! This one looks great though. I also saw a sautéed ravioli recipe of theirs that looks reallyyyy good.
My first stab at this was done as-is and the calories for a 4 count serving was 510 so I lightened it up a bit. I don’t know if anyone would be interested in a version I just made with the calorie count but here goes…
8 ounces cubed Organic Rosemary Artisan Bread (Costco) 457 cal
3.5 ounces Goat’s Milk Creamy Cheese (Trader Joes) 158 cal
2 Tablespoons Chiobani Greek Yogurt Fat Free 18 cal
8 ounces (divided in two) Lite Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Trader Joes) 360 cal
1 & 1/2 cup Rustico Traditional Southern Italian Sauce (Trader Joes) 135 cal
5 links (80 cal ea.) Archer Farms Chicken Sausage Spinach & Garlic 400 cal
200 grams (USDA info.) Sweet Green Bell Pepper (My garden) 40 cal
Herbs & Spices 0
4 very large servings came to 392 calories a piece – 365 gram weight per serving. I weigh the empty pan, weigh again after cooking and subtract the empty pan weight from the finished product then divide by four. The gram weight of each serving mY vary as the steam/head dissipates.
Thank you Alana. I was actually going to ask how this is a lightened up recipe with that much cheese. That is a ton of cheese and fat. I’m looking forward to trying this with some modifications tonight. Thanks for the idea!
I made this tonight for my husband and I. It was very good!!! Thanks for posting the recipe. :0)
So glad you liked it!
My parents come over every year to see our Christmas decorations. They came over last night and I made this for them with a salad and garlic bread (okay I know there is bread in it, but well you need garlic bread too sometimes!). Anyways, this was so good! I wish we had leftovers because I would eat it again today!!