Meatball Sub Sandwich Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or 1/4 cup crushed saltine
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb ground venison
• 1 loaf italian bread, 1-inch cubes (1 lb loaf)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (no substitutes)
• 1 teaspoon mixed italian herbs (basil, oregano...)
• salt & pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
• 1 quart spaghetti sauce (or 28 oz can)
• 1 cup water
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (or pressed)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 400.
• 2 in a bowl, combine onions, crumbs & cheese; add beef and mix well.
• 3 shape beef into 1-inch balls; place on rimmed cookie sheet; bake for 15-20 minutes (no longer pink in center); turn oven down to 350.
• 4 meanwhile, arrange bread cubes in an ungreased 13x9 pan.
• 5 combine cream cheese, mayo, seasonings, and s&p; spread over bread.
• 6 sprinkle one cup mozzarella cheese over the cream-cheese mixture layer.
• 7 combine sauce, water & garlic; add meatballs and gently mix; pour this over the cheese layer.
• 8 sprinkle remaining mozzarella.
• 9 bake (uncovered) at 350 for 30 minutes (top will be bubbly and quite fragrant).
• 10 options: use half cheddar and half mozzarella; try some sliced black olives; sprinkle some grated zucchini in for added nutritional value (and get a few veggies past the kids!--it's the secret ingredient).