Description
Hearty Italian-style Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches bring classic comfort to dinner tables with rich marinara and melted cheese. Crusty bread, savory meatballs, and zesty sauce combine for a satisfying meal that will transport you straight to Sicily.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats and Proteins:
- 12 frozen or homemade meatballs (about 1.5 inches each)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Bread and Seasonings:
- 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
- 1.5 cups marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 375F (190C), creating an ideal environment for transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.
- Select your preferred meatballs – whether store-bought frozen or lovingly crafted from scratch – ensuring they are thoroughly heated and golden brown, developing rich, deep flavors.
- Gently awaken the marinara sauce in a simmering saucepan, introducing the cooked meatballs and allowing them to luxuriate in the robust, tangy embrace of the sauce.
- Transform the sub rolls into vessels of deliciousness by creating a gentle pocket, positioning them carefully in a baking dish to receive their savory filling.
- Generously nestle three succulent meatballs into each roll, lavishing them with additional sauce and creating a generous blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese that promises a decadent melting experience.
- Craft a fragrant garlic butter by blending melted butter with aromatic garlic powder and Italian seasoning, then tenderly brushing this mixture across the rolls’ surfaces to enhance their flavor profile.
- Protect the developing sandwich masterpiece with a foil cover, baking for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then unveil and continue baking until the cheese reaches a state of molten perfection.
- Elevate the dish with a final flourish of fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes, presenting a sandwich that promises to tantalize taste buds and satisfy hearty appetites.
Notes
- Choose pre-cooked or homemade meatballs for versatility, ensuring they’re fully heated before assembling sandwiches.
- Use gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps to make the recipe suitable for different dietary needs.
- Adjust cheese quantities for lighter versions or use dairy-free alternatives like vegan mozzarella for plant-based diets.
- Prep meatballs and sauce ahead of time to create a quick weeknight meal that’s perfect for busy families.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg