Meatball Sandwich with Marinara and Melted Cheese Recipe
This hearty Meatball Sandwich recipe features flavorful beef meatballs cooked to perfection and smothered in a rich homemade marinara sauce, layered with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses inside a warm, crusty baguette. Topped with grated parmesan and fresh parsley, this sandwich makes a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 500g beef mince
- 1 tbsp bread crumbs
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
For the Marinara Sauce
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp mixed dry herbs
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tin tomatoes (400g)
- Half empty tomato tin filled with water (about 200ml)
For Assembly
- 1 small baguette, sliced in half
- 1/2 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 mozzarella ball
- 1 tsp grated parmesan
- A small handful of parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinara Sauce: Place a pan on medium heat and add olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and onions and fry for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Stir in paprika, mixed dry herbs, chilli flakes, salt, pepper, and sugar, frying for another 3 minutes to release the flavours.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the tinned tomatoes and add half a tin of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes to develop a rich sauce.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine beef mince, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, salt, pepper, sugar, and chilli flakes. Mix and knead thoroughly until the mixture is uniform with no loose meat.
- Form Meatballs: Divide the mixture into about 15 equal parts and roll each into a 1-inch diameter ball.
- Cook Meatballs on Stovetop: Heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the meatballs gently for 4 minutes on each side until browned. If needed, finish cooking them through in a preheated oven at 160°C (fan) for about 7 minutes.
- Set Meatballs Aside: Remove the cooked meatballs from the pan and set them aside while preparing the sandwich assembly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bread: Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan). Slice the baguette lengthwise, not completely through. Place it on a tray and warm in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Remove the bread from the oven, open it up, and spread 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce over the base. Add 4 to 7 meatballs, then distribute half the mozzarella and half the cheddar cheese over the meatballs.
- Grill Cheese Topping: Place the assembled sandwich under the grill for about 5 minutes until the cheese has melted and turned golden.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the sandwich from the grill, sprinkle grated parmesan and parsley on top, then serve immediately and enjoy your delicious meatball sandwich.
Notes
- You can finish cooking meatballs in the oven if they are not fully cooked after frying to ensure they are cooked through.
- Simmering the marinara sauce longer will enhance the flavors—feel free to simmer for 30 minutes or more if time allows.
- Use a fan oven for consistent and even heat during baking and grilling steps.
- Adjust the number of meatballs in the sandwich depending on your preference and bread size.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh basil or oregano to the marinara sauce.
Keywords: meatball sandwich, homemade marinara sauce, beef meatballs, melted cheese sandwich, comfort food, easy sandwich recipe
