Last year on Facebook, my good friend Thad posted a fabulous looking meatball sub casserole recipe before the big game, so my wheels started to turn and I simply had to develop my own.
My friend Sarah and I wanted to create a feel good, healthier recipe that was, of course, delicious, but with a much lower fat content. This is the version we created; still with all of the ooey gooey Italian goodness, but with fewer calories and slightly guilt free. If you’re not concerned about fat & calories, by all means, feel free to use the whole milk cheese versions.This quick and easy bake is the perfect center for the upcoming Super Bowl festivities as well. Party On!
Thanks for the collaboration, Sarah!
Ingredients
1 loaf french bread, cut into 1 in thick slices, toasted
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (low fat or regular), softened
1/2 c. mayonnaise (low fat or regular)
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup parsley, chopped fine
1/4 tsp pepper
2 c. shredded 4 Cheese Italian cheese, divided (low fat or regular)
1 lb package fully cooked frozen meatballs, thawed (turkey or beef)
1 (28 oz) jar good quality pasta sauce; Classico 4 cheese or Emeril’s Marinara
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Arrange bread slices in a single layer on bottom and sides of an ungreased 9×13 baking dish. Fill in gaps with smaller chunks of bread. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, parmesan, mayonnaise, parsley and seasonings. Spread mixture over bottom bread slices. Sprinkle with 1/2 c. shredded cheese.
Gently mix together spaghetti sauce and meatballs. Spoon over cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until bubbly.
Serves 6
Once Upon a Spice 
Sounds delicious as always! Can’t resist the melty cheese!
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Thanks, Marci! The melty cheese had me with hello! lol!
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Bring on the CHEESE!!!
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Ohhh Boy, Cheryl! I’m with you! There ain’t enough cheese! lol! Thanks, hon 🙂
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xo
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Great game day recipe! YUM!
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Thanks, Kathryn! There are so many to choose from, but this was the #1 pick among our “team” 🙂
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Hi Lana, my but they do look delicious!!!
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Hi Marisa! Thanks so much! Of course we Italians shy away from bottled sauce, right?? lol! 😉
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Wow this looks so good Lana! I know my kids would love this! Me too!
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Thanks, Lynn! The cheese alone piqued my interest…just like a kid lol!
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Looks so good yumm!
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Sounds like a good sandwich!
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Thanks so much, Sadie! It truly is & the cream cheese adds a little tang & smoothness too 🙂
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This sounds so good with all that cheese! Yum!
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Thanks so much, Freda! The full fat cheeses are simply the best, but you didn’t hear that from me…haha!
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Oh yum !!!! These look sooooo good ….you know I am addicted to cheese hey ! 🙂
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Thanks, Lynne! I’m with you…cheese rules!! lol!
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🙂
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