Meatball Subs on Garlic Mozzarella Bread

Two amazing concepts in one insanely delicious bite. Savory meatballs and robust marinara nestled on toasty, garlicky, cheesy mozzarella bread. You need very few ingredients and about 30 minutes (max) and this super fun, wildly yummy meal can be yours!

And this dish isn't just easy and healthy, cleanup is a breeze too. First, the meatballs are roasted, which means there's no messy cooktop to clean, and some of the fat from the beef ends up on the baking sheet, not the sauce. Plus, if you line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, you'll have nothing to clean when the meatballs are finished cooking.

Also, there are no "fillers" in the meatballs - no egg or breadcrumbs. It's simply not needed because the meatballs are roasted until caramelized and then simmered in sauce (so they stay tender, not tough).

The great thing about these subs is that you can make them as cheesy as you want. There's cheese on the garlic mozzarella bread, so it's up to you whether or not to add more cheese on top. I chose to add a little sprinkling just before serving.

How should you serve these meatball subs? Since you have your meat, dairy, vegetable, and starch all in one bite, you could serve a nice salad on the side and dinner is complete. You can also serve roasted potatoes (or sweet potatoes), or some steamed green veggie (like broccoli or green beans) to round out the meal.

This dish is the ultimate pairing of two fantastic foods. Meatballs with marinara and meatball subs are cherished for a reason. The savory beef partners perfectly with tangy tomato sauce and buttery cheese. But when you make one simple change (transforming the bread into garlic mozzarella bread), the entire experience is catapulted. You get an extra layer of flavor that can't be beat.

Meatball Subs on Garlic Mozzarella Bread

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 pound lean ground beef

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for sprinkling over top

4 hoagie sub rolls, or one Italian loaf (baguette-style) cut into 4 equal pieces

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

In a large bowl, combine the beef, parmesan, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and shape the mixture into 16 meatballs. Transfer the meatballs to the prepared pan and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until cooked through.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the tomato sauce, basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Set the pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes (while the meatballs cook).

Add the meatballs to the simmering sauce and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Brush the inside of the rolls/bread pieces with the butter (both sides). Sprinkle with garlic powder and then top with the mozzarella cheese. Transfer the bread to a baking sheet (the same one you used for the meatballs works - cover with a fresh piece of parchment or foil if desired). Bake for 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.

Nestle the meatballs on the cheesy bread and top with more mozzarella.