These Italian, comfort food creations are mouth-watering sandwiches made with ground sirloin, fresh herbs and grated cheese, slathered in a five-minute marinara sauce and served with oven fries.
Directions for: Meatball Subs
Ingredients
Meatballs1 lb(s) ground sirloin
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup (3 handfuls) Italian bread crumbs
1 medium onion, chopped fine
4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp (several drops) Worcestershire sauce,
cup (a couple of handfuls) flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
cup (a couple of handfuls) grated Parmigiano or Romano
Coarse salt and black pepper
5 Minute Marinara Sauce2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (2 turns around the pan)
4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
tsp crushed red pepper flakes
A handful flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, about 2 tablespoons
tsp dried oregano
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14-oz) can chunky style crushed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 semolina crusty sub rolls, with or without sesame seeds
1 (10-oz) bag (2 1/2 cups) shredded Provolone or Italian 4-cheese blend
Shredded basil (sweet) or shredded arugula (spicy) leaves, for garnish
Oven Fries, as an accompaniment, recipe follows
Oven Fries4 medium white-skinned potatoes, each cut into 8 wedges lengthwise
Extra-virgin olive oil, to coat
Grill seasoning blend or coarse salt and black pepper
Directions
Meatballs1. Preheat oven to 450F.
2. Place ground sirloin in a large mixing bowl and punch a well into the center of meat. Fill well with the egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire, parsley, cheese, and a little salt and pepper. Mix up meatball ingredients until well combined, yet not over-mixed. Divide mix into 4 equal parts, roll each part into 4 balls and space equally onto a nonstick baking sheet. Place meatballs in oven and roast about 12 minutes. Break a meatball open and make sure meat is cooked through before removing from the oven.
5 Minute Marinara Sauce1. Preheat oven to 450F.
2. Place ground sirloin in a large mixing bowl and punch a well into the center of meat. Fill well with the egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire, parsley, cheese, and a little salt and pepper. Mix up meatball ingredients until well combined, yet not over-mixed. Divide mix into 4 equal parts, roll each part into 4 balls and space equally onto a nonstick baking sheet. Place meatballs in oven and roast about 12 minutes. Break a meatball open and make sure meat is cooked through before removing from the oven.
3. Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and garlic. When garlic starts sizzling, add herbs and crushed pepper. Allow oil to infuse for half a minute, then stir in the tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Bring sauce to a bubble, reduce heat, and simmer until meatballs are removed from oven.
4. Combine meatballs and sauce and pile into sub rolls, 4 meatballs per sub. Top with shredded cheese and place under subs under broiler to melt cheese. Top with shredded basil or arugula and serve with a pile of Oven Fries.
Oven Fries1. Drizzle potatoes with a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil. Toss potatoes with seasoning blend or coarse salt and pepper. Place potatoes on a nonstick baking sheet and roast 20 minutes or until just tender. Give the baking sheet a good shake after 10 minutes to avoid sticking.
See more: Beef, Cheese, Eggs/Dairy, Herbs, Italian, Lunch, Main, Roast, Tomatoes, Comfort Food