Ultimate Game Day Meatball Sub
This Ultimate Game Day Meatball Sub is the ideal crowd-pleaser for football weekends or any casual get-together. Featuring juicy, homemade meatballs nestled in a crispy garlic-buttered baguette, this sandwich delivers bold flavors with each bite. Prepared with gooey mozzarella and a robust pasta sauce, it's both flavorful and satisfying. The meatballs can be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for busy hosts. Customize by making smaller meatballs or using your favorite sauce for a personal touch.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
French baguette
1 (sliced in half lengthwise, interior partially removed)
Soft butter
1/3 cup (mixed with garlic and salt)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (for butter spread)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (or to taste, for butter spread)
Black pepper
to taste (for butter spread)
Pasta sauce
1 jar (14 ounces) (warmed in pan)
Mozzarella cheese slices
6 slices (to taste, for topping)
Ground beef
1 lb (for meatballs)
Milk
1/4 cup (for meatballs)
Egg
1 (slightly beaten, for meatballs)
Fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder, for meatballs)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (for meatballs)
Seasoning salt
2 teaspoons (for meatballs)
Black pepper
1/2-3/4 teaspoon (for meatballs)
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (finely chopped, for meatballs)
Breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (more if needed, for meatballs)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, milk, egg, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, seasoning salt, black pepper, fresh parsley, and breadcrumbs. Mix with clean hands until thoroughly combined. Add more breadcrumbs if necessary to hold the mixture together.
3
Shape the meat mixture into 15 meatballs and arrange them on a baking sheet.
4
Bake the meatballs for approximately 25 minutes, or until they're cooked through and have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
5
While the meatballs bake, slice the French baguette in half lengthwise with a serrated knife. Remove some of the bread from the inside to create a pocket for the meatballs.
6
In a small bowl, mix soft butter with garlic powder and salt. Spread the mixture inside the baguette halves and sprinkle with black pepper.
7
Place the prepared baguette halves in the oven for the last 4-5 minutes of the meatball baking time, until lightly toasted.
8
In a medium saucepan, heat your favorite pasta sauce over medium heat.
9
Once meatballs are finished baking, add them to the saucepan with the warmed pasta sauce and gently coat them.
10
Arrange the sauced meatballs onto one half of the toasted baguette, then layer with mozzarella cheese slices.
11
Top with the remaining baguette half and cut the sandwich into four servings.
12
Serve warm and enjoy.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Game Day Meatball Sub?
The Ultimate Game Day Meatball Sub is a flavorful sandwich featuring homemade juicy meatballs, a robust pasta sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese on a garlic-buttered French baguette.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people once the baguette is fully assembled and sliced.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking the meatballs?
You should preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the meatballs and toasting the bread.
How long should the meatballs bake?
The meatballs should bake for approximately 25 minutes until they are fully cooked through.
What is the safe internal temperature for the meatballs?
The meatballs are finished baking when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
The recipe instructions guide you to shape the meat mixture into 15 individual meatballs.
What kind of bread is best for this meatball sub?
A single French baguette is recommended for this recipe, sliced lengthwise.
How do I prepare the baguette to fit the meatballs better?
After slicing the baguette in half, you should remove some of the bread from the inside to create a pocket for the meatballs.
What ingredients are in the garlic butter spread?
The garlic butter spread consists of 1/3 cup soft butter, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste.
When should I toast the baguette?
Place the prepared baguette halves in the oven for the last 4-5 minutes of the meatball baking time.
What ingredients are needed for the meatballs?
The meatballs require ground beef, milk, an egg, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, seasoning salt, black pepper, fresh parsley, and breadcrumbs.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic in the meatballs?
Yes, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if preferred.
What should I do if my meatball mixture is too wet?
If the mixture is too wet, you can add more breadcrumbs to help the mixture hold its shape when formed into meatballs.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The sub is topped with 6 slices of mozzarella cheese for a gooey, melted finish.
How much pasta sauce do I need?
You will need one 14-ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce.
How do I combine the sauce and meatballs?
Warm the pasta sauce in a medium saucepan, then add the baked meatballs and gently coat them before placing them on the bread.
Is this a good recipe for hosting a game day event?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a crowd-pleaser for football weekends and casual get-togethers.
Can the meatballs be made ahead of time?
Yes, preparing the meatballs ahead of time makes this a convenient option for busy hosts.
Can I customize the size of the meatballs?
Absolutely, you can customize the sandwich by making smaller meatballs if you prefer.
What herb is recommended for the meatball mixture?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley.
How much Parmesan cheese is used in the meatballs?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for the meatball mixture.
How do I assemble the final sandwich?
Arrange the sauced meatballs on one half of the toasted baguette, layer with mozzarella, then top with the other baguette half.
What equipment do I need for the meatballs?
You will need a large mixing bowl for the meat mixture and a baking sheet to bake the meatballs in the oven.
What type of salt is used in the meatball mixture?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt for the meatballs.
How much milk is used in the recipe?
1/4 cup of milk is added to the meatball mixture to keep them juicy.
What is the best way to slice the baguette?
Use a serrated knife to slice the French baguette in half lengthwise for the best results.
How should I serve the meatball sub?
Once assembled, cut the sandwich into four servings and serve while it is still warm.
Does this recipe include nutritional information?
The provided data does not currently list specific calorie, fat, or carbohydrate counts.
Is this sandwich considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and features classic Italian flavors.
What makes this meatball sub unique?
The combination of homemade meatballs, a toasted garlic butter baguette pocket, and melted mozzarella makes it the ultimate game day meal.