Italian Meatball Hoagies

CoffeeB's Note:

From a TOH Entertaining cook-book I received from a TOH party. The cook-book is full of fabulous recipes:-)

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 4 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 cup parmesan cheese , grated
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 tablespoons parsley flakes
• 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 cups saltines , crushed (about 60 crackers)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup parmesan cheese , grated
• 1 ½ teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 12 (6 inch) submarine buns , sliced
• mozzarella cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.
2. Crumble beef over mixture and sprinkle with cracker crumbs.
3. Mix gently.
4. Shape into 1 inch balls.
5. Place in ungreased 15x10 inch baking pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
7. Drain on paper towels.
8. For Sauce:.
9. In a large sauce pan, combine the tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, parsley and salt.
10. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
11. Add meatballs.
12. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until heated through.
13. serve meatballs and sauce on buns.
14. Top with mozzarella cheese if desired.

Reviews

[Lori Mama]

Delicious sammy! I choose to use ground turkey instead of the beef and halved the recipe. I also didn't shape the meat into balls. Instead made cylinders, as I don't care for the balls moving around and falling off of the bun. As a result, I didn't heat them in the sauce. Spooned it on top instead and used provolone cheese. Personal preference. :)

[Andi of Longmeadow Farm]

Well. Well. Well. The. Best. Ever. I followed this exactly, and totally would not change anything. Ok, I quartered it, but still this is the bomb. You don't need my accolades to make this a winner, but still I will say...it is. I love, love, love the use of saltines.Seriously, this is a under utilized addition that really is economical and tastes great! I even kept it *the sandwich in the oven a bit until DH came home, and it only made it more delicious. How wonderful! Thanks so much CB, you made my day! Made for *Everyday is a Holiday* October 2009

[Realtor by day, Chef by night]

Wow, great meatballs! Really good flavor. My little girl loved these. We had them for her 6th birthday party. I had to try them with all the great reviews and I'm glad I did. Thanks, Coffee!