Smashed Meatball Sandwiches Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, gently mix by hand the ground beef, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Shape into 12 meatballs, and place in a baking dish.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cooked through. Meanwhile, cut the baguette in half lengthwise, and remove some of the bread from the inside to make a well for the meatballs. Brush with olive oil, and season with garlic powder and salt. Slip the baguette into the oven during the last 5 minutes of the meatball's time, or until lightly toasted.
• While the bread toasts, warm the spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. When the meatballs are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the sauce. Spoon onto the baguette and top with slices of provolone cheese. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese. Cool slightly, cut into servings, and enjoy!

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the egg, breadcrumbs, milk and Parmesan and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and fennel seeds and cook for another minute. Set aside to cool.
• Add the ground beef and ground pork to a medium bowl, spreading it out, and sprinkle the surface evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, a few turns of black pepper, a good pinch of crushed red pepper, the oregano and the parsley. Add the cooled onion mixture to the meat mixture. Mix with your hands quickly until just combined (don't overmix). Divide into 6 parts and shape into balls. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or a griddle over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil. Cook the meatballs on one side until a brown crust is formed, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 minutes; then smash with a big metal spatula. Top each with a slice of cheese and cook until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F, about 5 more minutes.
• Toast the rolls or focaccia either in a skillet or the oven, then spread each side with marinara sauce. Top each with a patty and 2 big leaves of basil. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Slice the french rolls in half. On one side of each roll, scrape out a hollow trough for the meatballs to nestle inches With the bread you scrape out, save 1 cup of the breadcrumbs for the meatballs. Place the buns back in a plastic bag and set aside.
• For the meatballs:.
• Take the 1 cup of breadcrumbs from the rolls and combine it with the milk in a large bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the sausage and the next 8 ingredients; mix well.
• Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place the meatballs in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. Set aside.
• For the Sauce:.
• Saute the green peppers, chopped onion, and 2 cloves minced garlic in oil in a large saucepan until the vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, water, sugar, 1 1/2 tsp basil, and 1/4 tsp oregano; stir well.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add the reserved meatballs; cover and simmer for 1 hour.
• To assemble the sandwiches:.
• Take the French rolls out of the bag and brush lightly with the softened butter. Place cheese on the flat side of the bread (not the one you hollowed out for the meatballs). I cut my cheese slices in half so that they fit nicely on the bread and cover all the bread.
• Broil 6 inches from the heat until lightly toasted and the cheese is melted and gooey -- watch carefully so the cheese doesn't burn.
• Spoon meatball mixture onto the hollowed out side of the buns, and top with the cheese covered side of the bun. Enjoy!