As the weather starts to cool down, I begin craving all the cozy comfort foods, and these Ultimate Meatball Sandwiches are exactly what I want. With juicy, tender meatballs inside a fresh French roll, topped with melty provolone cheese and fresh basil, it’s everything you want in a sandwich! The best part? It’s super easy to make, and we’re using a shortcut by using jarred marinara sauce sometimes, that’s just the way to go!
These meatball sandwiches are the perfect balance of flavors and textures. They’re satisfying, cheesy, and guaranteed to make everyone happy. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Method
To start, begin by making the meatballs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, finely diced or grated yellow onion, parsley, mashed garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, eggs, allspice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Mix everything together well until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Once the mixture is ready, use your hands to form 16 meatballs, making sure they are about the same size for even cooking. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and set them aside.
Next, prepare to simmer the meatballs in the marinara sauce. In a large skillet, pour in your jar of marinara sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the sauce is simmering, carefully add the meatballs into the skillet. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan, as the meatballs need room to cook evenly. After adding the meatballs, cover the skillet with a lid and let them simmer for 25 minutes. During this time, resist the urge to stir or move the meatballs around. Let them gently cook in the sauce so they can soak up all the wonderful flavors.
While the meatballs are simmering, prepare the sandwiches. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating up, open the French rolls carefully, ensuring they don’t break, and set them aside. After the 25 minutes of simmering, remove the lid from the skillet and gently stir the meatballs to coat them in the sauce. Allow them to cook for a few more minutes to absorb the sauce fully.
Now it’s time to assemble the sandwiches. Take each French roll and place 3 meatballs into it. Spoon a little of the marinara sauce over each meatball, making sure they’re generously coated. Then, add one slice of provolone cheese on top of each sandwich. For extra flavor, brush the insides of the bread with melted butter or olive oil before assembling the sandwiches.
Finally, bake the sandwiches. Place the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden and toasty. If you want an extra crispy finish, turn on the broiler for the last minute or two to get the bread nice and crunchy. Once the sandwiches are perfectly golden, remove them from the oven and top them with fresh basil for an added pop of flavor.
This method ensures that each sandwich is packed with juicy, flavorful meatballs, melty cheese, and a perfectly toasty roll making it a satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare!
Necessary Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Large skillet with lid
- Spoon or scoop for forming meatballs
- Oven
- Brush for melted butter or olive oil
The Ultimate Meatball Sandwiches: Comfort Food at Its Best
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes35
minutes50
minutesIngredients
For the Meatballs:
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
3/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (or plain)
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced or grated (preferred)
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, finely grated
2 eggs
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 32 oz jar marinara sauce (I always use @raoshomemade)
For the Sandwiches:
6 French rolls (or rolls of your choice)
6 slices provolone cheese
Fresh basil
Directions
- Simmer the Meatballs: In a large skillet, add your marinara sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the sauce is simmering, carefully add the meatballs to the pan and cover with a lid. Let them simmer for 25 minutes. Don’t stir or touch them during this time, as you want them to cook gently and soak up the sauce.
- Simmer the Meatballs: In a large skillet, add your marinara sauce and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once the sauce is simmering, carefully add the meatballs to the pan and cover with a lid. Let them simmer for 25 minutes. Don’t stir or touch them during this time, as you want them to cook gently and soak up the sauce.
- Prepare the Sandwiches: While the meatballs are cooking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Open the French rolls, being careful not to break them, and set them aside. After 25 minutes, remove the lid from the skillet, gently stir to coat all the meatballs in sauce, and let them cook for another few minutes to absorb the sauce.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Place 3 meatballs into each roll. Spoon some of the marinara sauce over the meatballs, and then add one slice of provolone cheese on top of each sandwich. Brush the insides of the bread with melted butter or olive oil for extra flavor.
- Bake the Sandwiches: Place the sandwiches in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden and toasty. For the last minute, turn on the broiler to get the bread extra crispy and golden. Remove from the oven and top with fresh basil.
Notes
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When simmering the meatballs in the sauce, make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. If necessary, cook the meatballs in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
- Keep the Lid On: Let the meatballs cook with the lid on for the first 25 minutes to keep them moist. This helps them absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Watch the Broiler: If you’re using the broiler to crisp the bread, keep a close eye on it to avoid burning the sandwiches. It only takes a minute or two to get that golden, crispy finish!
Serving Suggestions
These meatball sandwiches are a hearty meal all on their own, but you can serve them with a side of crispy fries or a simple green salad for balance. For an extra cheesy twist, sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top before serving!
Fun Fact
Did you know that meatball sandwiches, or “subs,” became popular in the United States in the early 20th century? Italian immigrants brought the concept of meatballs to the U.S., and it quickly became a favorite comfort food. Now, it’s a go-to for many families!
Conclusion
These Ultimate Meatball Sandwiches are comfort food at its finest! With juicy, flavorful meatballs, melty cheese, and a golden, toasty roll, they’re a simple yet satisfying meal. The jarred marinara sauce shortcut makes this recipe even easier, and the result is a sandwich that’s just as delicious as if you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re making them for dinner or serving them up at a party, these sandwiches are sure to be a hit!
