MEATBALL PIZZA SANDWICH CASSEROLE

Meatball Pizza Sandwich Casserole image

Take Italian favorites--ready-made frozen meatballs, mozzarella, and prepared pizza sauce--and turn them into a fun casserole.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 cans (15 oz each) pizza sauce
1 French baguette loaf (1 lb), cut into 1-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 oz)
1 bag (16 oz) frozen cooked Italian meatballs (about 32 meatballs), thawed
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni (2 oz)
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (1/2 medium)
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and pizza sauce until well blended.
In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of sauce mixture; arrange baguette slices over sauce. Spread top of baguette slices with 1 cup sauce mixture; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
Stir meatballs and pepperoni into remaining sauce mixture; pour over cheese. Sprinkle with bell pepper and remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 525, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1/8 of Recipe, Sodium 1410 mg, Sugar 6 g