Hey folks! I finally kept measurements and perfected my Grandma’s meatball recipe for you to try. Then I decided meatballs alone probably wouldn’t photograph well, so I put together The Ultimate Meatball Sandwich for you as well. Did it photograph well? No, but it sure tastes amazing.
The Meatballs
Follow the meatball directions carefully, apparently kneading the meat for 10 minutes is a vital part of Grandma’s instructions. In fact, they are the only quantitative instructions I was given – until I measured myself, I simply had a list of ingredients that I was supposed to knead for ten minutes.
The Sandwich
As for assembling the ultimate meatball sandwich, it is super filling but part of you will want more than one. It’s a one stop shop – you’ve got bread, a meat, veggies and cheese. Bake it open faced OR wrap it in tinfoil and bake. I love a crusty bun, so baking open faced is the way to go for me. The Ultimate Meatball Sandwich is a pretty well-rounded meal on it’s own but to truly round it out, I always include an iceberg salad with oil and vinegar, just like Grandma used to make.
Get Cooking
So take a look below and you will find two recipes. One, most importantly, is for the meatballs themselves. I usually bake them and serve some right away, freezing the rest to pull out and eat as I please. Makes for a really easy weeknight supper if we don’t feel like cooking – thaw a few in the fridge during the day, bake them in sauce and make your favourite pasta!
The second recipe is for the Ultimate Meatball Sandwich. Bake the meatballs and put together your sandwich or save that for another time – either way, you’ll be one happy camper. Hot tip: when I am making this sandwich, I cut the meatballs in half and lay them flat side down so they are easier to bite into and don’t slide out of the bun!
One last thing, a few of you suggested Sweet Potato Fries and Risotto as recipes I should work on. Well, here’s some news.. there are already Fancy Napkins recipes for both of those! Click the links to check out the recipes.
Grandma's Meatballs
Ingredients
- Approx 1 kg ground beef I use half extra lean and half regular
- Approx 1/2 kg ground pork
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 eggs
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 slices of white bread left to dry out ahead of time
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil
- Add first seven ingredients to a medium sized mixing bowl
- Add bread to warm water, allow it to soak up some water then squeeze some water out before adding the bread to the bowl (I know, this feels disgusting, and I apologize for that, but it will be worth it)
- Add the salt and pepper prior to kneading the mixture for 10 minutes (Grandma's specific direction!)
- Begin rolling the meatballs, take about 1/4 cup of mixture into your hand and roll!
- Place onto cookie sheets about an inch apart
- Bake for 45 minutes
- You can add to your favourite pasta sauce and enjoy right away or bake in sauce for up to a couple of hours before serving. You can also freeze for another time!
The Ultimate Meatball Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 sausage buns or bread of your choice
- 6 meatballs cut in half
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup sliced white onion
- 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven on broil
- If your meatballs are not coming straight out of the oven, cut them in half and heat them in a frying pan with 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce.
- Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon oil and minced garlic clove to a frying pan, cook on medium low until fragrant
- Add 1 cup sliced onions and 1 cup peppers to the pan and season with salt and pepper and 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, cooking until al dente, about 10 minutes
- Slice open your buns and place flat on a covered baking sheet (parchment or foil will work).
- Spoon sauce on one half, and add about three meatball halves on top. Top with more sauce.
- Add veggies to the other side of the bun and cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place baking sheet into oven, about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven, fold like a sandwich and enjoy!
I’ve been waiting for this! Can’t wait to try!
This reminds me that I didn’t include “frying” as an option!
Looks yummmm! Can’t wait to try it!
I can’t wait for you to try it either!!!