Meatball Boats Recipe

Here’s a detailed recipe for Meatball Boats with ingredients, instructions, and a lot of flavor!

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Assembling:

• 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 8 small sub rolls or baguette-style rolls
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

2. Prepare the Meatball Mixture:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. You can use your hands or a spoon to mix.

3. Shape the Meatballs:

Using your hands, shape the meatball mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get about 24 meatballs, depending on size.

4. Cook the Meatballs:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until they are browned on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked all the way through since they will finish cooking in the marinara sauce.

5. Prepare the Rolls:

While the meatballs are cooking, slice the sub rolls in half lengthwise, creating “boats.” You can hollow out some of the bread from the middle to make room for the meatballs and sauce if desired.

6. Assemble the Meatball Boats:

Place the meatball halves into each bread boat. Spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake the Meatball Boats:

Place the assembled meatball boats on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the bread is slightly toasted.

8. Serve:

Once the cheese is golden and melted, remove the boats from the oven. Garnish with more parsley if desired.

Conclusion:

These Meatball Boats are the perfect comfort food, with tender meatballs, gooey cheese, and savory marinara sauce all nestled in crispy, toasty bread. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing party snack, or a fun family meal!

Benefits of This Recipe:

• Quick and Easy: The meatballs cook quickly, and the assembly is simple.
• Customizable: You can use different meats (like turkey or chicken) or even add extras like bell peppers or olives to the sauce.
• Family-Friendly: A fun, interactive meal that kids will enjoy helping to make.

Enjoy your Meatball Boats! Let me know how it turns out or if you make any variations to the recipe!