Creamy Casserole with Meatball Subs

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch slices
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 (28 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Step 1

Warm your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, chopped green onions, bread crumbs, and Parmesan cheese until everything is combined. Roll the mixture into small meatballs about an inch in size and place them on a baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re no longer pink inside—you can check with a meat thermometer, which should read at least 160°F (70°C).

Step 2

While the meatballs are cooking, lay out the bread slices in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish. In another bowl, stir together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and some pepper until smooth. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the bread, then sprinkle half of the mozzarella on top.

Step 3

Mix the spaghetti sauce, water, and minced garlic in a bowl. Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, then pour everything over the bread and cheese layers. Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella over the casserole.

Step 4

Bake everything for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let it cool a bit before serving, and enjoy!