Homemade meatballs are a right of passage in an Italian family. My mother-in-law taught me how to make my own. Her recipe is a full meat sauce, so when I’m craving meatballs during the week, I take a shortcut and make them in my slow cooker. It’s not a quick meal, but it’s easy, with few ingredients and the meatballs can make several meals if you make more, like I do.
Can I use store-bought sauce or meatballs?
Yes, you can use store bought sauce or meatballs in this recipe. However, homemade meatballs will work best in this dish.
What temperature should I cook the meatballs at?
When cooking meatballs, it is important to reach the correct internal temperature to ensure that they are cooked through. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cooking ground beef and pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why we love this recipe
There are several reasons why we love this recipe. First, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require many ingredients. Second, it’s a great way to use up leftover meatballs. And finally, it’s a fun and tasty way to enjoy a classic sandwich.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cup marinara sauce
- 4 crusty Italian sandwich rolls
- 12 slices provolone
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare a baking pan with non-stick spray.
In a bowl, add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan cheese and parsley.
With your hands, work the ingredients together.
Add salt and pepper.
With the ice cream scoop, begin to form your meatballs.
Set them aside.
Add the oil to the skillet, heating it over medium heat.
Add one meatball at a time to the heated pan.
Cook for about 5 minutes or until seared on all sides.
Place the meatballs in the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes.
Remove from oven and set aside.
Cut out an oval on top of the roll, leaving about ½ inch on the ends and sides.
Dig in but do not cut all the way to the bottom half of the roll.
Use a knife to hollow out the top of the roll.
Place the roll on the baking sheet.
Place a slice of cheese in the hollowed out area.
Return to the oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of marinara to the cheese.
Place 3 meatballs on top of the cheese.
Add marinara on top of the meatballs.
Place grated Parmesan cheese on top of marinara.
Return to oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes.
Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cup marinara sauce
- 4 crusty Italian sandwich rolls
- 12 slices provolone
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan