Meatballs in a new form and the boy child is happy

We have a boy who lives in our house who loves meatballs. ALL meatballs - he does not discriminate when it comes to balls of meat. This recipe looked fun and since it seemed a bit saucy I thought I could get away with some noodles too for the girl - she's LESS in love with balls of meat. I could have used two shortcuts here - but chose the path less traveled. the boy and I made meatballs rather than buying them (I'll link the recipe we used). I also made French bread instead of buying it since all French bread at Aldi tastes like sourdough... at least it used to before I started making it. It actually worked out well - two loaves made, bread for a side on Monday, for in dinner on Tuesday, and to make fancy French toast on Thursday. I used a little less of the sauce ricotta mix since it felt like a LOT... but otherwise it was great as is. I did use the broiler to get the bread to crisp and the cheese to brown before adding the rest of the toppings. Andy declared it did in fact taste like a meatball sub. My work here is done!

Meatball Recipe: https://myrtlegrace.blogspot.com/2022/12/splattery-meatballs.html

Meatball Sub Casserole 

2 packages Italian Style Meatballs
1 loaf French bread sliced
4 TBSP butter melted
1 tsp garlic powder divided
1 C ricotta cheese
2 C pasta sauce divided
2 C mozzarella cheese divided
1 C Parmesan cheese divided
*Optional - chopped parsley as garnish

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bake meatballs on a foil-lined baking sheet according to package directions.
While the meatballs bake, prepare the garlic bread. Slice french bread into 3/4 inch slices, arrange in 9x13 baking dish.
Combine melted butter with 1 tsp garlic powder and brush mixture onto bread slices. Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/5 cup of parmesan cheese. Place dish in oven approximately 5-7 minutes (while meatballs bake), until bread is slightly toasted and cheese is melted.
While bread bakes, mix together ricotta cheese and 1 cup pasta sauce in a small bowl.
When ready, remove baking dish with bread and meatballs from the oven.
Spread ricotta and sauce mixture over the bread. Arranged meatballs over the mixture. Top with remaining sauce and remaining cheeses.
Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melty and bubbling.
Serve immediately with parsley as an optional garnish.