Meatball Sandwich Recipe

Ground beef: The base of the meatballs, providing a rich and hearty flavor.

Breadcrumbs: Helps to bind the meatball mixture together and adds texture.

Beaten egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together.

Minced garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic flavor to the meatballs.

Grated parmesan cheese: Adds a savory and slightly nutty flavor to the meatballs.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the meatballs.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the meatballs.

Hoagie rolls: The bread that holds the meatballs and sauce, providing a sturdy base.

Marinara sauce: A rich tomato-based sauce that coats the meatballs.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts over the meatballs, adding a gooey and delicious topping.

When forming the meatballs, make sure to handle the mixture gently to avoid overworking the ground beef. Overworking can make the meatballs dense and tough. Additionally, using a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon can help ensure that each meatball is uniform in size, which promotes even cooking.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with oats: Oats can act as a binder and add a slightly different texture, making the meatballs a bit heartier.

• beaten egg - Substitute with flax egg: A flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoon water) can be used as a vegan binder.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor profile if fresh garlic is unavailable.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is a good vegan alternative.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• hoagie rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls are a healthier option and add a nutty flavor.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce offers a different flavor profile with a fresh, herby taste.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese provides a stronger flavor and melts well, similar to mozzarella.

• Allow the meatballs to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
• Place the meatballs and marinara sauce in an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Store the meatballs and marinara sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This keeps the flavors intact and prevents spoilage.
• For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and marinara sauce separately in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to use, thaw the meatballs and marinara sauce in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and prevents bacterial growth.
• Reheat the meatballs and marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
• Toast the hoagie rolls fresh before assembling the sandwiches. This ensures a crispy texture and prevents sogginess.
• Assemble the sandwiches with reheated meatballs, marinara sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Toast in the oven until the cheese melts for a fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the meatball sandwiches in aluminum foil to keep them from drying out. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the sandwich on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the meatballs are hot and the cheese is melted.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even warming. This method helps maintain the bread's texture while reheating the meatballs and cheese.

• If you prefer a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and place it on the toaster oven rack. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through and the cheese is melted.

• Oven: Used to preheat to 375°F (190°C) and bake the meatballs covered in marinara sauce, as well as to toast the hoagie rolls and melt the mozzarella cheese on the assembled sandwiches.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced garlic, grated parmesan, salt, and black pepper to form the meatball mixture.

• Frying pan: Used to brown the meatballs on all sides over medium heat before baking them.

• Baking dish: Used to place the browned meatballs and cover them with marinara sauce for baking.

• Spatula: Used to turn the meatballs in the frying pan to ensure they are browned evenly on all sides.

• Knife: Used to mince the garlic cloves.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to mince the garlic cloves.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and black pepper.

• Whisk: Used to beat the egg before adding it to the meatball mixture.

• Baking sheet: Used to toast the hoagie rolls in the oven.

• Cheese grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese.

• Tongs: Used to handle the meatballs when transferring them from the frying pan to the baking dish.

• Spoon: Used to spread the marinara sauce over the meatballs in the baking dish and to assemble the sandwiches with meatballs and sauce.

• Oven mitts: Used to safely handle hot items coming out of the oven, such as the baking dish and the assembled sandwiches.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and spices in advance to streamline the process.

Use a cookie scoop: Form meatballs quickly and uniformly by using a cookie scoop.

Pre-cook meatballs: Brown meatballs in batches and freeze them for future use.

Store-bought marinara: Save time by using a quality store-bought marinara sauce instead of making your own.

Pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to cut down on prep time.

Toast rolls together: Toast all hoagie rolls at once on a baking sheet to save oven time.