This is one of those recipes that you can vary in so many different ways.
It is quick and easy . . . and could even be used as a meal to use up leftovers!
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1/8 of 9X11 baking pan
Calories per serving: 368
Fat per serving: 8 grams
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chopped onions
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch slices
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Italian Blend cheese
- 1 (24 or 32 oz) spaghetti sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the onions, bread crumbs and 3 tbsp Parmesan cheese and egg.
- Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.
- Shape into 1-in. balls; place on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan.
- Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile, arrange bread in a single layer in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish (all of the bread might not be used).
- Combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and 2 tbsp Parmesan
- Spread over the bread.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella.
- Scatter meatballs over the cheese, pour sauce over the meatballs and top with remaining cheese
- Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through.
Variations:
Use ricotta cheese instead of mayo and cream cheese.
Use italian sausage instead of meatballs.
Add strips of green pepper if italian sausage is used.
Use leftover spaghetti sauce
