Italian Meatball Sandwich

I used to think meatballs just tasted ok.  I didn’t realize that the taste was totally a result of combining good spices and fresh herbs.  Once I started to figure this fact out, my meatballs starting to become really tasty – no matter the variety, spin or type of meat I would use.  This time I made an Italian Meatball Sandwich using ground turkey meat.  I also find them to be really versatile and they are a great food to serve at parties.  They can be served as appetizers, in pasta, or as in this case, in a sandwich.

 

Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 pound ground turkey meat

1 package of provolone cheese slices
1 package of Hawaiian Hot Dog Rolls
Marinara Sauce

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

For the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, ketchup, tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions.

Mix well.  Add the ground turkey and using your hands (I find there is no substitute), mix until all the ingredients are well blended.

Using an ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into balls (22 to 24 meatballs).  Place the meatballs on a nonstick baking sheet leaving some room between meatballs.

Bake until cooked through, approximately 15 minutes.

To assemble the sandwich, slice open the Hawaiian hot dog buns.   Add a couple of meatballs, top with a good spoonful of the marinara sauce and take one slice of the provolone and divide in half and place over each meatball. Put the sandwich back on the baking tray open-faced.  Place into the oven in melt the cheese which should take 2 – 3 minutes.

 

Serve and enjoy!