Meatball Casserole

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 lbs ground beef, shaped into meatballs (see kittencal's italian melt-in-your-mouth meatballs)
• 1 loaf italian bread, cut into 1-in slices
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (not salad dressing, also do not use light or fat-free)
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
• pepper
• 1 pinch dry basil (optional)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or more if desired)
• 28 ounces favorite marinara sauce
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (or to taste)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 grease a 13x9 casserole dish.
• 3 bake meatballs on a shallow rack for 15-20 minutes.
• 4 arrange bread in a single layer in a casserole dish.
• 5 (all of the bread might not be used).
• 6 combine cream cheese, mayo, italian seasoning pinch basil (if using) and pepper.
• 7 spread over the bread.
• 8 sprinkle with just a little more than half of the mozzeralla cheese.
• 9 combine sauce, water and garlic; add meatballs.
• 10 pour over cheese mixture.
• 11 sprinkle with remaining mozza cheese.
• 12 bake uncovered, for 30 minutes or until heated through.