Meatball Subs

For me this is the scariest time of the year and not because Halloween is just around the corner.  This is the start of the Holiday Season and I have so much too do in a short amount of time.  I swear the hours in the day seem to get shorter and I run out of time every year.

Here is a time saving recipe to help keep you on track.  Meatball Subs that take about an hour and the flavor is fantastic.

Mama Capone's Meatball Subs

Meatballs

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 1/2 cups grated Romano cheese

1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs

3 eggs

1/4 cup whole milk

1/2 cup Italian flat leaf parsley, minced

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/2 yellow onion, minced

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

1/2 cup olive oil

12 cloves garlic, rough chop

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

2 28oz can good crushed tomatoes (I used DeLallo)

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup fresh basil, rough chop

Relish

3 dill pickle halves, chopped

2 roma tomatoes, chopped

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1/4 cup peperoncini, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

Rolls

Mozzarella Cheese

Chop up pickles, tomatoes, onion, peperoncini in a small bowl add salt and pepper, mix together and set aside to allow flavors to marry.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and brush a casserole dish with olive oil including sides of dish. Mix the beef, cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, milk, parsley, basil, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper together.  Form into 2 1/2 to 3 inch balls (do not pack the meat).  Arrange in casserole dish and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned.

Heat olive oil in a sauce pan. Sauté onions, garlic and red pepper flakes for 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, bay leafs, salt and pepper, mix together and simmer for 45 minutes.  Add meatballs to sauce and cook an additional 10-15 minutes.

Slice bread and place 3 to 4 meatballs in bread top with Mozzarella cheese and place under the broiler until cheese has melted.  Serve relish on top of sandwich.

Until Next Time,

Pam