Ingredients
1. The Base:
- Bread: 1 loaf of French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch slices (or cubes).
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz (softened).
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tsp.
- Garlic: 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves minced garlic.
2. The Filling:
- Meatballs: 1 lb cooked meatballs (frozen or homemade).
- Marinara Sauce: 2 cups of your favorite pasta sauce.
- Water: 1/4 cup (to thin the sauce slightly for the bake).
3. The Topping:
- Mozzarella Cheese: 2–3 cups shredded (as seen in your photo).
- Parmesan: 1/4 cup grated.
- Dried Parsley: For garnish.
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan (similar to the one in the photo).
- Layer the Bread: Place the bread slices or cubes in a single layer at the bottom of the pan.
- The Creamy Layer: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Spread this mixture evenly over the bread slices.
- Add Meatballs: Toss the cooked meatballs with the marinara sauce and water in a bowl. Arrange the saucy meatballs on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Cheese Blanket: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese generously over the meatballs.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown in spots.
- Serve: Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with dried parsley for that finished look.
Quick Variation: If you like it spicy, add some red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce before baking!
