Meatball-Sub Casserole

Anyone who loves sandwiches and meat also loves a good meatball sub! But how would you like to try the delicious sandwich in a casserole form? Meatball sub casserole is a famous comfort meal made in many American-Italian homes.

The casserole is prepared by lining a casserole dish with bread and layers of cheese, juicy and savory meatballs and a tangy tomato sauce. The comforting flavors served on a cold night, warm you from the inside and leave you asking for more.

Health Benefits

Lean ground beef used in the meat is a protein warehouse. It provides essential nutrients for cell and tissue development. Combined with the tomato sauce, the dish provides abundant amounts of vitamins and dietary fiber, beneficial for health.

Ingredients

Ground Beef: 1 lbs

cup green onion (chopped finely): 1/3

cup bread crumbs (plain or seasoned with Italian herbs): 1/4

tbsp parmigiano reggiano: 3

jar spaghetti sauce: 1 (28 ounce)

garlic cloves, minced: 2

cup water: 1

loaf of Italian bread (cut into 1 inch slices): 1

ounces cream cheese (room temperature): 8

cup mayonnaise: 1/2

tsp mixed italian seasoning: 2

tsp pepper: 1/4

cup Mozzarella cheese – shredded: 2

How To Make Meatball-Sub Casserole

For Meatballs

1. Preheat oven at 400 degree F.
2. Add ground beef, chopped onions, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a clean bowl.
3. Knead the mixture with your hand until everything is well combined.
4. Take enough mixture in your hand to shape it in to 1 inch round balls; place them on the rack until the mixture is gone.
5. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil, place the balls 1 inch apart on it and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meat is brown. You can also cook the meatballs in a skillet on medium heat.
6. Take them out and reduce the temperature of the oven to 350 degree F.

For Tomato Sauce

1. In a large bowl add spaghetti sauce, water and minced garlic and whisk them together.

For Casserole

1. Mix cream cheese, Italian seasoning, pepper and mayonnaise in a bowl and keep side.
2. Layer the bottom of a 13x9 inch lasagna/casserole dish with the bread slices.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the bread evenly.
4. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella on top.
5. Spread the tomato sauce on the cheese evenly and place the meatballs on top.
6. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top and bake in the over, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Trivia

• The largest meatball ever was made by the Columbus Italian Club in Columbus, Ohio in 2011. It weighed a whopping 1,100 pounds and took 3 days to cook.
• IKEA is no longer just the best place for cheap and modern furniture, it has also become a famous empire of Swedish meatballs, earning more than $2 billion annually. People all around the world visit IKEA showrooms just to enjoy the delicious meatballs served in their cafeterias.