Craving a mouthwatering meatball sub, made right in the comfort of your own kitchen? We’ve got you covered with this guide on how to craft your own delectable sandwiches.
You’ll be kneading and frying up homemade meatballs, simmering a rich marinara sauce, and picking out the fluffiest bread for your sub. Best of all, these lip-smacking subs are highly customizable to fulfill your cravings.
Worried about storing or reheating leftover subs? Don’t sweat it; we include handy tips to ensure they taste just as good the next day. Find everything from assembling methods to pairing suggestions here at Cool Artisan.
Your flavor-packed adventure into homemade meatball subs starts now! Ready your taste buds for an unforgettable journey filled with Italian-inspired indulgence.
Contents
Ingredients Needed for Meatball Subs
You will need 1À½ pounds of Italian sausage.
Select either hot or sweet or a blend of both.
The casings should be removed for a tender texture.
Prepare the Vegetables
Olive oil is necessary, around 2 tablespoons.
You’ll also need a fennel bulb, thinly sliced after removing the core.
A large, thinly sliced onion brings a sweet crunch to your sandwich.
Garlic and Tomatoes
Garlic is essential – divide 3 cloves as per taste.
Get a 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes for the sauce.
Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper.
Selecting your Bread
Choose 4 sub rolls, preferably freshly baked.
You’ll also need shredded mozzarella, around 1 cup should suffice.
Garnish and Serving Suggestions
Fresh basil leaves intensifies the flavors in each bite.
Create an aromatic garnish with more basil leaves, garlic and olive oil.
Making Homemade Meatballs
Pursuing the perfect meatball can be thought of as a somewhat culinary quest. The ideal meatball should look substantial, yet be so light and tender that it can easily be cut with a spoon.
Creating such meatballs begins with the inclusion of a panade. This is a mixture of buttermilk-soaked fresh bread that not only adds loads of moisture but also enhances the flavor of your meatballs.
- Minced pancetta – Including minced pancetta further enhances the deliciousness of the meatball while ensuring optimum juiciness.
- Gelled stock – Though optional, using gelled stock can also guarantee an incredibly juicy meatball.
- A variety of flavors – Adding a sufficient amount of onions, garlic, and other flavors yield a rich, satisfying taste to your meatballs.
- Brown and simmer – Once browned, simmer your meatballs in tomato sauce until just cooked to maintain their juiciness.
Selecting the best meats for your homemade meatballs is essential. Tradition often opts for a combination of beef, pork, and veal, but feel free to experiment with what works for you.
The final step in perfecting your homemade meatballs involves careful monitoring during the simmering process. Over-simmering may result in loss of juices – better suited within your meatball than in your sauce. Aim for just the right cooking time to achieve those desirable juicy meatballs.
Preparing the Marinara Sauce
What ingredients are needed for the marinara sauce?
Your marinara sauce will need 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a medium chopped onion, and 4 sliced garlic cloves.
You’ll also require 2 cans (28 ounces each) of peeled whole tomatoes that have been pureed, ½ teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, fresh basil, coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, and fresh oregano.
How to prepare the marinara sauce?
To begin, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add in the chopped onion and sliced garlic cloves and cook them until soft and translucent.
Next, incorporate the pureed tomatoes, red-pepper flakes, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper into the mix. Simmer it under cover until it thickens up.
This process will take approximately 25 minutes. Now stir in those tantalizing herbs – basil and oregano!
Can I store this marinara sauce?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate this marinara sauce for upwards of three days. If you’re planning on using it at a later date, remember that it freezes well too and can be kept frozen for up to three months.
Cooking your own homemade meatball subs is not only rewarding but also allows you to control the quality of ingredients that go into your meal. For a full representation of how to prepare this flavorful Marinara Sauce residents used check this out.
Choosing the Perfect Bread
For homemade meatball subs, your choice of bread plays an essential role. The balance between crumb and crust is critical.
The Importance of Freshness
Fresh bread not only enhances taste but also texture. It guarantees that your subs are bite-friendly and fulfilling.
Don’t fall into the trap of using stale, day-old bread. Keep it fresh, always.
Picking the Right Type
The type of bread matters significantly for your subs. Opt for something sturdy enough to hold filling yet soft for a bite.
Considering variations like French baguette or Italian loaves can add a unique flavor profile to your subs.
Taking Into Account Personal Preferences
Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference. You might prefer a crunchier crust or a denser crumb – it’s your call!
Experiment with different sorts until you find the one that best suits your palate and delivers the dining experience you love.
Assembling Your Meatball Sub
It’s time to assemble that mouthwatering meatball sub. A delectable blend of beef, pork and veal is the star.
This delicious mix forms the heart of your hearty meatballs, bound by egg, breadcrumbs, and seasoning.
- Season to Perfection with 1/4 tsp onion flakes, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp of fresh parsley finely chopped.
- Add Depth with 1/2 cup fresh shaved Pecorino Romano cheese – this gives your meatballs a savoury kick that will make them unforgettable.
- Brown it Right, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet on medium-high heat and brown your meatballs evenly.
Once browned, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven (350°F), baking for about 12 minutes. Remove and simmer your mouthwatering meatballs in tomato sauce over low heat for an additional 5 minutes.
Moving on to the crucial garlic butter. Made with unsalted butter, salt, finely chopped fresh parsley and an entire head of garlic coated in olive oil; it’s invaluable when crafting a sublime sub.
- Cook up Comfort, bake the garlic at 400°F for about 45 minutes before blending it with the butter mixture.
- Spread the Flavor with this savory garlic spread onto your choice of baguette-style bread- split both width-wise and lengthwise.
- Fulfill the Promise layer decadent amounts of meatballs, sauce and not one, but two cheese types, mozzarella and additional Pecorino Romano.
A quick trip back to the oven, this time broiling just long enough to melt and slightly toast the cheese. Top with fresh chopped basil for an extra burst of flavor.
Your incredible homemade meatball sub is now ready to serve. A perfect symphony of flavors in a handheld delight.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Not devouring all your meatball subs at once? Fear not!
You can store leftovers effectively ensuring sublimity in every remaining bite.
Refrigeration for Short-Term Storage
Your refrigerator serves as a haven for storing your subs short-term.
Just place them in an airtight container.
This eliminates exposure to air, maintaining freshness up to five days.
Freezing Subs for Long-Term Safeguarding
If intending to savor them later, opt for long-term storage.
Wrapping your subs snugly in plastic wrap first is crucial.
Next, give them a protective aluminum foil shell.
This double dose of wrapping ensures optimal preservation in the freezer for up to a month.
Ace That Reheat Without Failing Taste
The key to perfect reheating lies in gentle heat distribution.
Avoid microwaving as it may cause a soggy catastrophe.
A warm oven tenderly revives your subs’ original grandeur without compromising texture or taste.
For further reading about food preservation, especially biscuits (which are very similar to sub rolls), check this out.
Favorite Sides for Meatball Subs
Your homemade meatball subs deserve the perfect side. Something like grilled vegetables, offering a contrast to the richness of your sub.
Roasted bell peppers or onions, exceptionally flavorful, elevate the overall taste of your meal. Look no further than here to sour inspiration for pairings.
Picking the right side dish can enhance the entire dining experience, making your homemade meatball subs a full gourmet delight.
Garlic Parmesan potato wedges could be a good option too. Crisp and savory, they complement the meatball subs perfectly.
A vibrant green salad with Italian dressing is not only healthy but also pairs nicely with the rich taste of meatball subs.
If you prefer something sweeter, roasted sweet potato fries would be a delightful choice.
For a slight Italian renditions of your meal, try pairing with a cold pasta salad.
Saucy broccoli or cheesy spinach provides an essential nutritional boost to your meal.
Coleslaw adds a nice crunch, while garlic knots create a symbiosis of flavor with the subs.
The vibrantly flavored asparagus lightly seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper offer a lighter touch without losing any taste value.
Fresh caprese salad is another colorful and advancing choice paired best with your subs.
If you’re leaning more towards heartiness, a creamy three-bean salad could be how you enlighten your gourmet adventure with homemade meatball subs.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
There’s a bounty of nutritional goodness in every bite of these homemade meatball subs. From the fresh ingredients to the savory sauces, it’s a taste sensation backed by wholesome nutrients.
- Protein Packed: Boasting significant amounts of protein, these subs are sure to keep you full and satiated – fueling your body efficiently!
- Fiber Content: The healthy fiber content helps with digestion and keeping your stomach feeling satisfied.
- Abundance of Vitamins & Minerals: Enriched with vital vitamins and minerals, ensuring a nourishing meal.
- Healthy Fats: Comprising beneficial fat, the subs provide your body with essential fatty acids necessary for optimum functionality.
You’ll love knowing that each delicious serving offers key nutrients needed for a balanced diet. But, don’t just take our word for it,
You can confirm everything we’ve just shared on your own by using this handy nutrition calculator. Homemade meatball subs have never been so enticing, have they?
Making informed food choices is incredibly empowering, especially when those choices enhance your overall health.
So why not get stuck into crafting these delightful subs?
Mastering Meatball Subs
You’ve journeyed through the art of homemade meatball subs, understanding the delicate balance between meat selection, seasoning, and slow-cooking. Now you’re equipped with the insider tips and techniques to create a sub that outdoes any fast-food counterpart. So roll up your sleeves, and let the enticing aroma of home-cooked meatballs fill your kitchen.
