Meatball Sub Casserole

I'm a sucker for a good casserole. And this is one of the best ones I have had in a long time! The whole family LOVED it!

You can go with homemade MEATBALLS and MARINARA, (like I did).   Or go with your favorite store brand of each. (Rao's marinara is incredible!) It really is up to you and how much time you have. Whenever I make spaghetti and meatballs, I double my recipe and freeze half. Comes in SO handy for dishes like this!

Ingredients:

1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1 inch thick slices

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 Tbs mayonnaise

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 cups freshly grated Mozzarella cheese, divided

1-2 Lbs frozen (OR HOMEMADE) meatballs, thawed

4 cups marinara sauce (CAN MAKE YOUR OWN)

1/2 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Arrange your bread slices in an ungreased 9x13 baking dish; set aside. In a bowl, combine your cream cheese, mayonnaise, seasonings, and pepper; spread over bread slices. Sprinkle with half of your Mozzarella; set aside. Mix together your meatballs, marinara, and water; spoon over Mozzarella. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Serve with a nice green salad and you're good to go!

Note: For a firmer base, simply toast your sliced bread before adding to baking dish.

Adapted from recipes found on Gooseberry Patch & Plain Chicken