If you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying meal that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion, then these Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are just what you need. Packed with flavor and cheesy goodness, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your household.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- The combination of ground beef and pork with Italian seasonings creates a flavorful meatball that is sure to impress your taste buds.
- With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend meal prep session.
- The melty provolone, fontina, and parmesan cheeses take these meatball subs to the next level of deliciousness.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Meatballs:
- Ground beef and pork: Provide richness and depth of flavor to the meatballs.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper: Add the perfect blend of seasonings to enhance the meatball flavor.
- Eggs: Help bind the meatball mixture together.
- Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs: Add texture and cheesiness to the meatballs.
- Water: Keeps the meatballs moist and tender.
For the Sauce:
- Olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil: Create a flavorful and aromatic sauce to coat the meatballs.
For the Subs:
- Crusty sub rolls, provolone, fontina, and parmesan cheeses, and fresh basil: Complete the sandwich with a cheesy and herby finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, eggs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and water. Mix until well combined.
- Form the meat mixture into meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, Italian seasoning, and basil. Simmer the sauce until it thickens.
- Place the cooked meatballs in the sauce and let them simmer for a few minutes.
- To assemble the subs, place the meatballs and sauce in the sub rolls, top with provolone, fontina, and parmesan cheeses. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with torn basil leaves before serving.
Helpful Tips:
- For a shortcut, you can use store-bought marinara sauce instead of making your own.
- Make extra meatballs and freeze them for a quick and easy meal later on.
- Toasting the sub rolls before assembling the sandwiches adds a nice crunch.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use a mixture of ground beef and pork for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these delicious Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches with a side of crispy fries, a fresh salad, or a bowl of soup. Pair them with a glass of red wine or a cold beer for the perfect meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You can also freeze the meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use all ground beef instead of a mixture of beef and pork?
- Yes, you can use all ground beef if you prefer, but the combination of beef and pork provides a more flavorful meatball.
- Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Can I use different types of cheese for the subs?
- Feel free to use your favorite cheeses for the subs, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or gouda.
Conclusion:
These Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to please everyone at the table. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this recipe in no time. Try it out and let us know how it turns out! Enjoy!
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Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are packed with flavorful meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese, all served on a toasted sub roll. A classic and satisfying meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound (454g) ground beef
- 1 pound (454g) ground pork
- 3 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (100g) parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup (171ml) water
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup (76ml) olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
For the Subs:
- 8 crusty sub rolls, cut in half
- 8 ounces provolone cheese, shredded
- 6 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
- 2 ounces parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Fresh basil, torn, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together beef, pork, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, eggs, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and water. Shape into meatballs.
- Cook the Sauce: In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté garlic and red pepper flakes. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for about 30 minutes, then stir in basil.
- Assemble the Subs: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place meatballs in the sauce and simmer for 15 minutes. Fill sub rolls with meatballs and sauce, top with cheeses, and bake until cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the cheeses used in the subs according to your preference.
- You can also toast the sub rolls before assembling the sandwiches for extra crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
