Turkey Meatball Sandwich
The thing I love so much about a meatball is all the different ways it can be used. I think most people think of a meatball as very pedestrian. That is just not true. This turkey meatball sandwich is so well balanced and packed with flavor from the meatball, the marinara sauce, the cheese and a good roll. I sound so Guy Fieri with that description. If you don’t know who he is, then you don’t watch the Food Network. He is the host of Diners, Drive-in & Dives.
There is something so comforting, so primal about eating a sandwich. Not a sandwich on just bread but a hearty, sink your teeth into sandwich. This turkey meatball sandwich may not seem to have a lot of depth but the flavors meld so well together. The meatball has great texture and super flavor. The marinara sauce compliments the meatball so well, and then, the cheese adds such a good compliment with its creaminess.
The meatball is prevalent in so many cultures but I think the Italian version is the best. Sorry but I am just saying what I like. The original way I served these turkey meatballs was in the traditional way over spaghetti and topped with marinara sauce. I should actually call these chicken and turkey meatballs. 1/3 of the mixture is ground chicken. The chicken adds a little more moisture which is needed in a white meat meatball.
The Recipe
Turkey Meatball Sandwich
Ingredients
- ¼ loaf of challah, broken with your hands
- ½ to ¾ cup of whole milk
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- 1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/8 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey meat
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 ¼ pound ground Italian seasoned ground turkey
- 1 hearty Italian roll
- 1/4 cup of marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
For the meatballs
- In a large bowl, combine the challah and milk. Next, add the parmesan, basil, parsley, tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, and garlic. Using a spoon, work all the ingredients together. Add the ground turkey, chicken and sausage meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
- Using your hands, form the meat mixture into fairly large meatballs. Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 20 – 25 minutes.
To assemble sandwich
- Cut open the Italian roll. Add 2 meatballs.
- Pour the marinara over the meatballs.
- Top with the shredded mozzarella.
- Place on a baking tray in a 325 degree oven and bake for approximately 5 minutes. It is ready when the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve and enjoy!
The milk soaked challah and the parsley added.
The meatball mixture includes ground turkey and chicken, and then, formed prior to baking.
The marinara ingredients and the cooking process.
The whole sandwich assembled.
Responses
comments – I answer every one.
That sandwich looks so good. Nothing beats a great tasting sandwich any night of the week.
Agreed. I typically save them up for Sundays.