Ingredients :
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen meatballs (I used Great Value brand, Italian Style, Fully Cooked)
- 1 (24 oz) can/jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 loaf fresh Italian or French bread, sliced (I used French twin loaves from Walmart Deli)
- Add the frozen meatballs and the sauce to a pot over medium heat. When it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot (with lid tilted), and simmer until heated through, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Place enough of the meatballs down the center of a 13×9″ baking dish (I used about 3/4 of them), leaving a little room around the edges for the bread. Layer half the Italian cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella over the meatballs.
- Top with the remaining meatballs and sauce, then layer the remaining half of cheeses over them.
- Line the edges of the pan with the slices of bread (see note below first) in an upright position.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bread is toasty.
NOTES:
I used a can of Hunt’s Traditional Pasta Sauce, and added in about 3/4 of a 6 oz. can of Hunt’s tomato paste and some black pepper and simmered a little while before adding the meatballs.
If desired, before arranging the bread slices in the baking dish, the bread can be brushed with melted butter, garlic butter, olive oil, or the mixture below that I used.
Garlic Butter for the bread :
- 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) salted butter, melted
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Dash of salt, optional
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Melt the butter, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
Brush one side of the bread slices before arranging them upright in the baking dish.
