Name: Italian Meatloaf Sandwich
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: ItalianEurope
Ingredients: 1 (12-inch) loaf frozen garlic bread; 2 (½-inch-thick) slices recipe; 1 cup tomato sauce from recipe; 3 ounces mozzarella cheese , shredded (¾ cup); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves , cut into thin strips

Why This Recipe Works

The only thing better than a supper of our Italian Meatloaf might be making this sandwich with the leftovers the next day. Essentially just a big meatball shaped into a loaf, the Italian Meatloaf is perfectly suited to slicing and layering onto a sandwich. Using a 12-inch loaf of frozen garlic bread for the sandwich kept the preparation simple while packing in extra garlicky richness. Piling creamy mozzarella and salty, savory Parmesan cheeses onto the saucy meatloaf and then melting and browning them quickly under the broiler made for an irresistible hot hoagie. A final touch of shredded basil added beauty and freshness to this glorious sandwich.

Before You Begin

We developed this recipe using Pepperidge Farm Garlic Bread.

Instructions

Cook bread according to package instructions.

Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place meatloaf slices in small, ovensafe casserole dish and pour tomato sauce over top. Bake until just heated through, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and heat broiler.

Line rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bread bottom on prepared sheet. Spread half of tomato sauce on bread bottom, then top with meatloaf, overlapping slices slightly. Spread remaining tomato sauce over meatloaf. Top meatloaf with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Broil sandwich bottom until cheese is melted and just beginning to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with basil. Top with bread top, slice in half, and serve.