Description
These Cheesy Basil Turkey Meatball Subs feature tender turkey meatballs seasoned with fresh and dried basil, ricotta, parmesan, and garlic, simmered in marinara sauce, topped with melted fresh mozzarella, and served in toasted sub rolls. A perfect hearty and flavorful sandwich that’s great for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons ricotta cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for browning
Sauce and Cheese
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
To Serve
- Sub rolls, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) to prepare for baking the meatballs with sauce and cheese.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, lightly beaten egg, minced garlic, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil, breadcrumbs, dried basil, garlic powder, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat a small amount of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Form the meat mixture into meatballs and add them to the pan. Brown the meatballs evenly on all sides, about 10 minutes, turning carefully with a spoon to keep them intact.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Once the meatballs are browned, pour the marinara sauce over them in the skillet. Evenly distribute the torn pieces of fresh mozzarella on top of the meatballs and sauce.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil, additional parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes over the meatballs and sauce for extra flavor and heat.
- Prepare Subs: Keep the oven on. Place sub rolls on a baking sheet. Spoon the cheesy meatballs and sauce into the rolls.
- Toast Subs: Place the filled subs in the oven for 5 minutes to toast the rolls slightly and warm everything through.
- Serve: Remove the subs from the oven, top with more fresh basil, and serve immediately while hot and melty.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Using fresh basil really elevates the flavor, but dried basil can be used in a pinch.
- Ensure the pan used for browning the meatballs is oven-safe to go directly from stove to oven.
- Sub rolls can be substituted with hoagie rolls, baguette slices, or any sturdy bread of choice.
- For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes into the meatball mixture or sprinkle on top when serving.
- These meatball subs can be assembled ahead and briefly reheated in the oven before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Browning and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
