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Meatball Boats

Meatball Boats
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Meatball Boats are a quick, family-friendly dinner featuring tender, juicy meatballs nestled in soft hoagie rolls, topped with rich marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comforting meal is easy to prepare and customizable to suit various dietary needs and flavor preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
  • 4 soft hoagie rolls or sub buns
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped onion, Italian seasoning, and salt in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined to ensure juicy, tender meatballs.
  2. Form and Cook Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil, then cook meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Simmer in Sauce: Transfer the cooked meatballs to a pan of warm marinara sauce. Let them simmer gently for 5 minutes so they soak up the delicious flavors.
  4. Prepare the Roll Boats: Slice your hoagie rolls lengthwise, creating “boats” without cutting all the way through. Lightly toast them in the oven or on a skillet for a crisp texture and warm base.
  5. Assemble the Meatball Boats: Spoon several meatballs with sauce into each roll, then generously top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  6. Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled boats on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and enjoy the comforting combination of warm meatballs, tangy sauce, and melted cheese all wrapped in a soft roll.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs such as basil or parsley sprinkled on top before serving to brighten the dish.
  • Handle the meatball mixture gently to avoid dense, tough meatballs.
  • Use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to form meatballs evenly for consistent cooking.
  • Toast the rolls well to prevent sogginess and add crunch.
  • Allow meatballs to simmer in sauce to amplify flavor and juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball boats, quick dinner, family meal, comfort food, easy meatballs, Italian recipe, kid-friendly, customizable meatballs, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/meatball-boats/