Meatball Submarines

I received a wonderful loaf of Italian bread from my mother when we visited and thought the perfect way to use it would be to make meatball subs for dinner.  Along with homemade sauce and delicious meatballs, I believe I have found the perfect dinner for any husband!  My husband loved these so much, he said they needed a special name, like "Mama Mia Meatball Subs."   That gave me a good laugh and was a huge compliment!  He also said that the sauce was the best sauce he's ever had....WOW! 

Meatball Submarines

Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion, chopped finely
• 2 tbs. olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced/pressed
  
• 1 large can of whole tomatoes
• 1 small can of stewed tomatoes
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. flat leaf Italian parsley
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 small can tomato paste

Directions

• Heat 2 tbs. olive oil over medium high heat.
• Add onion and cook until soft and lightly brown.  Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Add cans of tomatoes and seasonings, stirring to combine.
• Cover and simmer over medium heat for 1 hour.
• Crush all tomatoes with a wooden spoon (or I used a potato masher) until only lightly chunky.
• Continue simmering uncovered for another hour and then add the can of tomato paste and stir to combine.  At this point, it should be reduced and fairly thick.
• Serve over pasta or with meatballs.

Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 c. Italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. paprika
  
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 egg

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet and set aside.
• Mix all ingredients together by hand until well combined.
• Shape into balls, slightly larger than a large egg or so.
• Place onto cooling rack and bake for 30 minutes.
• At this point, you can leave them whole and put on top of pasta or if making subs, cut each meatball in half and place into pasta sauce, continuing to cook for about 20 minutes.
• Place meatballs on your bread of choice and top with cheese (Mozzarella or Provolone work great!) and place under broiler until bread is crisp and cheese is bubbly and brown in spots.