Description
Mediterranean-style meatball sandwiches blend Italian and Greek flavors in a hearty dish. Melted cheese and herbed meatballs create a delicious meal you’ll savor with each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 frozen or homemade meatballs (about 1.5 inches / 3.81 cm each)
- 1.5 cups / 360 ml shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup / 120 ml grated parmesan cheese
- 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
- 1.5 cups / 360 ml marinara sauce
- 2 tbsps / 30 ml butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp italian seasoning
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375F (190C), preparing a warm environment for culinary transformation.
- Meatball Preparation: Cook meatballs until golden brown, developing rich, deep flavors through thorough heating.
- Sauce Integration: Warm marinara sauce in a saucepan, gently introducing cooked meatballs to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Sub Roll Transformation: Create a pocket in sub rolls, positioning them in a baking dish to receive their savory filling with strategic precision.
- Filling and Cheese Layer: Nestle three meatballs into each roll, drowning them in sauce and blanketing with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a decadent melt.
- Garlic Infusion: Craft a flavor-enhancing garlic butter by mixing melted butter with garlic powder and Italian seasoning, then delicately brushing across roll surfaces.
- Baking Process: Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then uncover to allow cheese to reach molten perfection, melding flavors and creating a golden-brown exterior.
- Final Garnish: Sprinkle fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes, presenting a tantalizing sandwich that promises to excite the palate and satisfy hunger.
Notes
- Meatball Selection: Choose high-quality meatballs with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring they hold together well during baking.
- Sauce Simulation: Use a thick marinara to prevent soggy bread; drain excess liquid before stuffing rolls to maintain crisp texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Layer cheese strategically – place some underneath and on top of meatballs to create multiple melted cheese zones for enhanced taste experience.
- Garlic Butter Enhancement: Brush garlic butter generously but evenly to prevent saturated spots; use fresh minced garlic for more intense aromatic profile compared to powdered version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg