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Meatball Sandwich
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Meatball Sandwich

Course Lunch, Main
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8
Author Pam - For the Love of Cooking

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven
  • Food Processor
  • Large skillet

Ingredients

Mushroom Marinara:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 6- oz of button or cremini mushrooms sliced thinly
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic chopped finely
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds crushed
  • 1 (28-oz) can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can of tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes to taste
  • Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Meatballs:

  • 7 button mushrooms diced finely
  • ¼ yellow onion diced finely
  • 1 clove of garlic minced
  • ¼ cup of Italian style breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg well-beaten
  • 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
  • ½ tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • ½ tsp fennel seed crushed
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking

Other Ingredients:

  • Hoagie rolls
  • Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • Parmesan cheese shredded
  • Fresh basil chopped

Instructions

  • Make the mushroom marinara by heating the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, basil, oregano, and crushed fennel seeds, and cook for 60 seconds, stirring frequently.
  • Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for at least 2 hours. Taste and re-season if needed.
  • Make the meatballs by placing the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in a food processor to chop, otherwise, chop them as small as you can.
  • Combine all ingredients (except for olive oil) together gently. Form into small meatballs and set aside.
  • Cook the meatballs by heating a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp olive oil. Cook the meatballs until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Remove from the skillet and place the cooked meatballs in the mushroom marinara to simmer for 15 minutes.
  • To assemble the meatball sandwich, place meatballs with some sauce down the center of the the hoagie rolls. Sprinkle the top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
  • Place on a baking sheet, under the broiler and melt the cheese–watch carefully so don't burn.
  • Top with basil and serve. Enjoy!