Sausage Bread Casserole (No-Crust Pie)

Slice the calabresa sausage into thin rounds and lightly brown them in a skillet.

Using a serrated knife, trim the crusts off all the slices of sandwich bread.

Grease a springform pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

Begin assembling the casserole by lining the side of the pan with sandwich bread slices arranged vertically.

Create the base of the casserole. Pour a layer of tomato sauce over the bread.

Add a generous layer of the filling, which should include the browned sausage, chopped onion if desired, cream cheese, tomato, and mozzarella.

Cover with another layer of sandwich bread and repeat the filling process: sauce, sausage, onion, cream cheese, and mozzarella.

To seal the top of the casserole, use the creamy cheese spread to cover the upper edge and place the final bread layer, tucking the bread ends down to help seal everything in place.

Add tomato slices over the final bread layer.

Place the casserole in a preheated oven to bake.

After baking, carefully unmold the casserole using the springform pan.

Garnish with basil leaves and extra sausage (if desired).