Welcome to the delicious world of meatball subs! You have come to the right place if you’re craving a hearty and flavorful sandwich that combines tender meatballs, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. In this Meatball Sub Recipe, we will show you how to create the ultimate mouthwatering masterpiece that will surely satisfy your taste buds. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the tantalizing flavors of this iconic sandwich.
Key Factors To Consider When Searching For A Meatball Sub Recipe
- Type of meat used: There are various types of meat to choose from, including beef, pork, turkey, and even chicken. Each type of meat will yield a different flavor and texture, so choosing the one that best suits your preferences is important.
- Seasoning and spices: Popular choices include garlic, onion powder, oregano, and basil, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors to find the perfect blend for your taste.
- Binding ingredients: Breadcrumbs, eggs, and milk are commonly used as binding ingredients when making meatballs. Breadcrumbs help absorb moisture, while eggs provide structure and help hold the meatballs together. Milk or cream can also be used to add moisture and tenderness to the meatballs.
- Method of cooking the meatballs: While there are various methods for cooking meatballs (including baking, frying, and simmering in sauce), baking is my preferred method.
Bread Selection
Selecting the Perfect Bread for Your Meatball Sub
The type of bread you choose can truly transform the taste of your sandwich. The ideal bread should be able to hold the meatballs and sauce without getting soggy or falling apart. Here are a few bread options that work best for meatball subs:
- Baguette: The baguette is popular for its sturdy and crispy texture, making it perfect for holding juicy meatballs and tangy tomato sauce.
- Ciabatta: This Italian bread is dense and chewy, with a crispy crust that adds a nice crunch to your meatball sub. It’s a great alternative to baguettes if you prefer a softer bread texture.
- Hoagie roll: This long, soft bread is perfect for creating a sandwich with generous meatball portions. It has a mild flavor that allows the meatball’s seasonings to shine through.
- Sourdough: This bread’s tangy flavor pairs well with savory meatballs, providing a nice crunch with every bite.
Read more:
- Healthy Cooking: The Ultimate Turkey Burger Recipe
- Cooking The Perfect Italian Meatball Recipe At Home
- Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
Tips for Choosing Fresh Bread
To ensure the best taste and texture for your meatball sub, it’s important to select fresh bread. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying bread for your sandwich:
- Look for bread with a crispy crust: This will ensure that your bread stays crisp and holds its shape when filled with meatballs and sauce.
- Choose bread with a chewy texture: A chewy texture will provide a nice contrast to the tender meatballs.
- Choose bread with a neutral flavor: Choose bread that won’t overpower the taste of your meatballs. A neutral bread flavor will complement the meatballs and sauce without overwhelming them.
- Check the bakery section of your local supermarket: The bakery section usually has a variety of fresh bread, from plain white to artisan loaves. Don’t be afraid to ask the baker for recommendations on the best bread for meatball subs.
Serving and Enjoyment
Tips for Serving the Meatball Sub
- Keep it warm: Once the meatballs and sub rolls are ready, make sure to keep them warm until ready to serve. You can do this by placing them in a warm oven or using a slow cooker on low heat.
- Have extra sauce on hand: Some people like their meatball subs extra saucy. Make sure to have extra marinara sauce on hand for those who want to add more to their sandwich.
- Add toppings: While the meatball sub is delicious on its own, you can add toppings like grated parmesan cheese, diced onions, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give it an extra kick.
Suggestions for Sides that Complement the Meatball Sub
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread is a classic side for any Italian dish and pairs perfectly with a meatball sub.
- Caesar Salad: A light and crisp Caesar salad is a great complementary side to a hearty meatball sub. This salad pairs well with the meaty and tomato flavors of the sandwich.
- French Fries: A side of crispy fries is a perfect addition to your meatball sub.
Meatball Sub Recipe
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
For the bread
- 3 1/2 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp (13g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp (5g) fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp (30g) room temperature lard, bacon fat, or shortening
- 1 1/4 cups (295ml) warm (100°F) water
- 1 tbsp (10g) instant yeast
For the meatballs
- 1 lb (453g) chuck roast, ground
- 1/2 lb (227g) pork Boston butt, ground
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup (12g) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 tsp (2g) finely ground fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 3 slices finely chopped pancetta (optional)
- Fresh grated nutmeg (to taste)
- Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- 3/4 cup (42g) panko bread crumbs
- Splash of milk
For the sauce
- 4 oz (120g) pancetta, diced
- 5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 28 oz can of crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
For the sandwich
- Homemade bread (sliced in half)
- Meatballs
- Sliced provolone cheese
- Fresh basil, chiffonaded
Instructions
- Mix flour, sugar, salt, and lard/bacon fat/shortening in a bowl. Add warm water and instant yeast. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 3-5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and flour on a work surface. Divide the dough into two pieces and shape each piece into a cylinder. Score each cylinder lengthwise with a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife or lame. Place each cylinder diagonally on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it proof for 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a 10-inch skillet with an inch of water on the stove on high heat to boil.
- Once the water is boiling, place the baking sheet with the dough in the oven. Slide the skillet with water on a rack underneath the dough and steam bake for 8 minutes.
- Remove the skillet with water and let the dough bake for another 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let the bread cool until room temperature.
- Mix together the ground beef and pork, eggs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, fennel seeds, oregano leaves, pancetta, nutmeg, black pepper, kosher salt, and panko bread crumbs with a splash of milk. Knead everything together, then form into round balls (approx. 24 meatballs).
- Heat up a large saute pan with high-heat oil and sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes until a deep brown crust forms. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- In the same pan, saute pancetta until crispy. Add garlic and saute until fragrant. Pour in the crushed San Marzano tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then add the meatballs back to the pan and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Slice the bread in half, toast it, and brush with garlicky olive oil. Add meatballs, provolone cheese, and fresh chiffonaded basil.
- Enjoy your homemade Meatball Sub!
Hey readers! Chip Holland here, and I’m a Manager of this website. My passion for writing about it only matches my passion for BBQ. Follow my blog for mouth-watering recipes, tips, and tricks for the perfect smoke, grill, and BBQ. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!