Italian Meatball Subs
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
1 hr
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
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Servings
8 Meatball Subs
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Calories
793 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Italian Meatball Subs
Description
This recipe prepares meatballs combining ground beef or turkey with Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, and seasoning including garlic, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. The hydrated breadcrumbs or crushed saltines help bind the meat. After forming meatballs, they are lightly dredged in flour to hold shape and baked until cooked through.
The baked meatballs then rest briefly before being bathed in a warming tomato sauce made from canned crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, garlic powder, and a touch of sugar to moderate acidity. The assembled sandwich uses fresh French bread rolls sliced and optionally toasted with sliced mozzarella or provolone melted on top.
Italian Meatball Subs are a filling dish ideal for casual meals or gatherings. They combine tender, juicy meatballs with tangy, savory sauce and melty cheese within crusty bread for a satisfying texture contrast.
The notes advise making the meatballs ahead and reheating them in simmering sauce to meld flavors, as well as freezing options. Unbaked meatballs can freeze on a sheet first then be bagged and baked from frozen, adding 6-7 minutes to baking time. Cooked meatballs also freeze well and can be reheated gently in sauce.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 cup bread crumb unseasoned or crushed saltines
- ¾ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded, or mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup beef broth low-sodium
- ½ cup parsley chopped, fresh
- 2 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 ½ tablespoons oregano dried
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper ground
- 2 teaspoons basil dried
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
To dredge the meatballs:
- 1 ½ cups flour in a shallow baking dish
For the sandwiches:
- 1 recipe French bread roll shaped into sub rolls and baked according to the recipe
- mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese, sliced
For the sauce:
- 1 (28-ounce) (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 ½ teaspoons basil dried
- 2 teaspoons oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon sugar this helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all of the meatball ingredients together EXCEPT the meat. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes so the breadcrumbs/crackers can soak up the liquid a little bit. Add the meat and mix well with your hands until all the ingredients are combined.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease the foil. Form golf ball-sized meatballs and dredge them in the flour until lightly coated. Place the meatballs on the baking sheet about one inch apart. Bake for 20 -25 minutes until the meatballs are completely cooked through.
- When the meatballs come out of the oven, let them sit for about 15 minutes. Gently scrape off any fat and place the meatballs in a 9X13-inch baking dish (or similar size). Pour the hot tomato sauce over the meatballs.
- To assemble the sandwiches, slice the buns in half. (If desired, lay the buns flat open on a baking sheet and top one side with cheese – toast in the oven for 4-5 minutes at 400 degrees until the buns are toasted and cheese is melted.) Place 3-4 meatballs on each bun and top with desired amount of sauce. Serve immediately with lots of napkins.
- For the sauce, combine the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low. Keep warm until the meatballs are finished baking.
Notes
- You can prepare and bake the meatballs ahead, reheating them gently in simmering sauce before serving.
- Meatballs freeze well both before and after baking; add extra baking time when cooking from frozen.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Meatball Subs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 793 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Meatball Sub | |
| Calories | 793kcal | 40% |
| Carbohydrates | 72g | 24% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 158mg | 53% |
| Sodium | 1556mg | 65% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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