Name: Italian Meatball Sandwich Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup finely chopped green onions; ¼ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs; 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 1 pound ground beef; 1 (1-pound) loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened; ½ cup mayonnaise; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 3 cups spaghetti sauce; 1 cup water (optional, for a thinner sauce); 2 cloves garlic, minced

Description

Italian Meatball Sandwich Casserole combines juicy meatballs, creamy cheese, tangy spaghetti sauce, and toasted bread in one delicious, family-friendly bake.

Ingredients

Scale

⅓ cup finely chopped green onions

¼ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound ground beef

1 (1-pound) loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

½ cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

3 cups spaghetti sauce

1 cup water (optional, for a thinner sauce)

2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (205°C).
Prepare the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine green onions, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ground beef. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them in a baking pan.
Bake the meatballs: Roast in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until they’re fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Lower oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the bread base: Spread Italian bread cubes evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the creamy layer: In a bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and black pepper until smooth. Spread this mixture over the bread cubes.
Add cheese: Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella over the cream cheese mixture.
Combine sauce and meatballs: Mix spaghetti sauce, garlic, and water (if using) in a bowl. Gently stir in cooked meatballs, then pour over the bread and cheese layers.
Top and bake: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Notes

For added depth, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage.

Prepare up to a day in advance and refrigerate before baking.

Swap in Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier creamy layer.

Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free bread and crumbs

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 generous portion
Calories: 1,046
Sugar: 15g
Carbohydrates: 74g
Protein: 41g