INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 10 ounces ground veal
- 7 ounces ground turkey
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- ½ medium yellow onion, minced
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon ground fennel seed
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 5 tablespoons dried oregano, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 32 ounces prepared marinara sauce
- 24 thin slices fresh mozzarella (optional)
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 6 hoagie rolls
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, ground veal, ground turkey, and egg yolks by hand until smooth. Add grated Parmesan cheese, shredded carrot, minced onion, and minced garlic to the meat. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Stir in the panko bread crumbs, dried basil, ground fennel seed, chili powder, salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of the dried oregano. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. Roll the meat mixture into 24 equal portions to form meatballs.
- Heat two large sauté pans or skillets, each with 1 tablespoon of canola oil, over medium-high heat. Fry the meatballs for about 10 to 15 minutes, turning them to brown on all sides. Pour the marinara sauce over the browned meatballs. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked. Turn off the heat.
- If using mozzarella, top each meatball with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Cover the pans again for another two minutes to let the cheese melt.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of dried oregano. Brush this mixture on the insides of the hoagie rolls. Toast the rolls under a broiler until they turn golden brown.
- Spoon a few meatballs into each toasted hoagie roll, and serve the delicious meatball subs. Enjoy!
Here are a few variations you can try for this meatball recipe:
- Italian-Style Meatballs: Enhance the Italian flavors by adding ½ cup of chopped fresh basil and ½ cup of chopped fresh parsley to the meat mixture. You can also use a mix of ground beef and pork for a classic Italian touch.
- Spicy Meatballs: For those who enjoy a kick of heat, add 1-2 finely chopped jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture. You can also mix in some diced pepper jack cheese for extra spiciness.
- Mediterranean Meatballs: Give the meatballs a Mediterranean twist by adding ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese and ¼ cup of chopped Kalamata olives to the meat mixture. Top them with some tzatziki sauce before serving.
- Swedish-Style Meatballs: Create Swedish meatballs by using a mix of ground beef and ground pork, and adding 1 teaspoon of ground allspice and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the meat mixture. Serve with creamy gravy and lingonberry sauce.
- Asian-Inspired Meatballs: Incorporate Asian flavors by adding 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of minced ginger, and 2 tablespoons of chopped green onions to the meat mixture. Serve with a drizzle of sweet chili sauce.
- Cheesy Meatballs: For extra cheesiness, mix 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese into the meatball mixture. When the meatballs are almost cooked, place a cube of cheese in the center of each meatball for a gooey surprise.
- Veggie-Packed Meatballs: Boost the nutritional value by adding finely grated zucchini, spinach, or shredded carrots to the meat mixture. This is a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables.
- Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace the panko bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground almonds for a gluten-free version. Ensure that all other ingredients, including the sauce, are also gluten-free.
