Sandwich Filled with Meatballs
With a Twist: The Divine Meatball Hoagie
Get ready to taste heaven in a sandwich! The meatball sub is an extraordinary deli treat, and every single ingredient plays a crucial part in its success. Let's discuss how to create this drool-worthy meal, whether you're using leftover Italian meatballs or making them fresh for multiple sub sessions.
The Plan: This recipe is perfect for utilizing leftover homemade Italian meatballs, but feel free to whip up a fresh batch just for these epic subs.
Start by preparing the mouthwatering Italian Meatballs and Tomato Sauce.
Hoagie rolls can be found in most grocery stores, but if you're feeling adventurous, try swapping them with ciabatta or sourdough rolls. For a shortcut solution, opt for store-bought meatballs and mozzarella and cook this up in a toaster oven.
- Yield: 1 sandwich
- Difficulty: Easy Peasy
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Recipe Components (4)* 3 Italian Meatballs (see below for options)* 1/4 cup Basic Tomato Sauce (see below for options)* 1 hoagie roll (substitutes possible)* 2 oz fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
DIVINE ITALIAN MEATBALL RECIPE:
Meatballs:* Homemade Option: (80/20 ground beef, 8 oz; 8 oz ground pork; 4 tbsp saltine cracker crumbs; 1 ½ tbsp olive oil; ½ cup minced onion; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ground fennel; ¼ cup chopped parsley; 6 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; ¾ tsp fine sea salt; ¼ tsp black pepper)* Store-Bought Option: Use pre-made Italian-style frozen meatballs.
Tomato Sauce:* Homemade Option: (½ cup minced shallot, 6 cloves garlic, minced, ¼ tsp Aleppo pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, ¼ cup dry white wine, ⅓ cup chicken stock, 1 can [28 oz] crushed tomatoes, ½ cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp fine sea salt, ¼ tsp black pepper)* Store-Bought Option: Use premium store-bought marinara sauce.
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler to low and position the rack in the middle of the oven. Cook the meatballs in their tomato sauce (either using a microwaveable bowl or stovetop) until they're hot and ready to go.
- Cut a 1-inch V-shaped notch out of the top of the hoagie roll and discard the top piece. Carefully remove part of the roll's interior to create a handy pocket that will fit the meatballs snugly.
- Place the meatballs inside the roll's pocket, cover them with sauce, sprinkle with sliced mozzarella, and put them on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Broil until the cheese turns melted and golden and the bread develops a toasty edge, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes.
BEVERAGE PAIRING:Opt for a crisp Mirassou Pinot Noir from California to complement this delightful meatball sub. Its bright red fruit notes and zesty touch are the ideal match for washing down your masterpiece. Save on costs by serving it slightly chilled. Enjoy!
Want to add more flavor? Dive deeper and try out these bonus ingredients:
Meatballs Additions:* 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 tbsp milk
Tomato Sauce Enhancements:* 1 sugar, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried thyme
Enhancement Insights:- Add texture to your meatballs with the inclusion of Panko breadcrumbs, egg, and milk. Experiment with various herbs and spices to create a distinct tomato sauce. The possibilities are endless!- If you're in a rush or low on ingredients, use store-bought alternatives for the meatballs and tomato sauce, and assemble your meatball sub in no time.
- This recipe utilizes leftover homemade Italian meatballs, but store-bought Italian-style frozen meatballs can be used as a shortcut for the Divine Meatball Hoagie.
- After preheating the broiler and preparing the homemade Italian meatballs and tomato sauce, hoagie rolls can be replaced with ciabatta or sourdough rolls if desired.
- Start by cooking the meatballs in their tomato sauce until hot and ready, then cut a 1-inch notch out of the hoagie roll, remove part of the interior, and assemble the meal with meatballs, sauce, and sliced mozzarella.
- Substitute premium store-bought marinara sauce for the homemade tomato sauce in the recipe for a quicker option to create the Divine Meatball Hoagie.
