Quick and Yummy Meatball Panini's

photo by FeelinYummy




- Ready In:
- 25mins
- Ingredients:
- 7
- Yields:
-
4 panini sandwiches
- Serves:
- 4
ingredients
- 1 loaf ciabatta, sliced in half lengthwise and then in quarters to make 4 sandwiches
- 1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 12 ounces frozen meatballs (varies depending on size of meatballs)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese (deli sliced)
directions
- Add olive oil, garlic and Italian seasoning to a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add marinara sauce and meatballs to a medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- When the sauce is hot and the meatballs are heated all the way through turn off the heat and remove meatballs from the sauce.
- Remove the olive oil from the heat and over a small bowl, pour the oil mixture through a small metal strainer.
- Using the back of a metal spoon, scrape the bottom of the strainer, pushing the garlic "paste" into the bowl.
- Brush a thin layer of the flavored oil onto the cut sides of the bread.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over one side of the bread.
- Cut each meatball in half and place them in an even layer over the marinara sauce.
- Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.
- Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese covered meatballs.
- Heat an indoor grill pan over medium high heat.
- Place the sandwiches on the grill and cover with a bacon press or other heavy object and cook just until nice grill marks appear.
- Turn the sandwiches over and place the bacon press on top and cook just long enough to see grill marks.
- Serve.
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Reviews
-
Great idea, FeelinYummy! I'm always on the lookout for simple, quick to prepare, hearty meals! These really fit the bill. I did use homemade meatballs, as I happened to have some on hand, and I used focaccia rolls, as they are crusty and hearty, somewhat similar to a ciabatta bread. (Plus, there are only 2 of us -) The garlic-infused oil really imparts a great flavor! I used my George Foreman grill, as I don't have a panini press, but I feel that worked out just fine. Thanks for sharing; these are just wonderful.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
I'm a 35 single mom of one wonderful 16 year old son who happens to be the world's pickiest eater. I'm a human resource director for a non-profit private special education school. Cooking is my #1 hobby. Ironically, I became interested in all things cullinary after I had gastric bypass surgery 7 years ago. Losing that much weight & as quickly as I did really changed my relationship with food. (I lost 128 lbs - 258 lbs before, 130 lbs now)