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Country-Style Meatball Subs: Slow-Cooked Italian Comfort

Country-Style Meatball Subs featuring Italian meatballs topped with cheese in a slow cooker.

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Country-Style Meatball Subs featuring Italian meatballs topped with cheese in a slow cooker.

Country-Style Meatball Subs are a scrumptious, satisfying dish that brings together flavorful Italian meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and soft hoagie rolls. Perfect for casual dinners or gatherings, these subs make for a hearty meal with minimal effort. The beauty of this recipe lies in the use of a crockpot, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over several hours. Just pop in your ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work. The result is tender, juicy meatballs enveloped in a zesty sauce, ready to fill your favorite bread.

This dish hails from the rich culinary traditions of Italy, where meatballs are often served in a variety of ways, including in pasta or as a snacking staple. The concept of a meatball sub is particularly popular in the United States, showcasing how Italian-American cuisine has evolved. Utilizing high-quality ingredients, the meatballs are often made with ground beef and seasoned expertly with herbs and cheese, showcasing the robust flavors of Italian cuisine. Each bite offers a combination of textures and tastes that’s truly comforting.

Country-Style Meatball Subs can be the centerpiece of a casual family dinner, served during game days, or as a satisfying option for gatherings and celebrations. They’re particularly popular at barbecues and potlucks, where guests appreciate hearty, hand-held meals. Not only does this recipe cater to various occasions, but it also allows for customization, catering to diverse preferences for spice and seasoning. Make these meatball subs the star of your next meal, perfect for serving a crowd or simply indulging on a cozy night in.

Country-Style Meatball Subs featuring Italian meatballs topped with cheese in a slow cooker.

Country-Style Meatball Subs: Slow-Cooked Italian Comfort

Recipe by Tracy Turner

Difficulty

Beginner

Servings

4

Prep time

15

Cooking time

240

Ingredients

  • 450 grams ground beef
  • 75 grams breadcrumbs
  • 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 large egg
  • Salt to taste
  • 660 ml marinara sauce
  • 4 hoagie rolls
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, egg, and salt. Mix well.
  2. Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and set aside.
  3. In the crockpot, pour in the marinara sauce, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  4. Carefully place the meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are submerged.
  5. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until meatballs are cooked through.
  6. Before serving, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese atop the meatballs.
  7. Serve the meatballs and sauce on hoagie rolls, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

550

Carbs

40

Protein

35

Fats

28