Mini Meatball Heroes by Giada

Charmie777's Note:

This recipe comes from Giada De Laurentiis. Mmmmmm....this is on the table in less than an hour! You can use any combination of meats to equal 1-1/2 pounds.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 mini sa ...

MEATBALLS

• 1 small onion , grated
• ¼ cup fresh parsley , chopped
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2⁄3; cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup dried breadcrumbs
• 6 ounces ground beef
• 6 ounces ground veal
• 6 ounces ground pork
• 1⁄3; cup olive oil
• 26 ounces marinara sauce

SANDWICHES

• 12 (3 -3 ½ inch) Italian rolls , split, warm
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 3 ounces sliced provolone cheese

Directions:

1. To make the meatballs, whisk the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl to blend.
2. Stir in the cheese and bread crumbs.
3. Mix in the meats.
4. Using about 2 tablespoons meat for each, shape into 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch meatballs. Set aside.
5. Heat the oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat.
6. Working in batches, add the meatballs and saute until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Drain off excess oil.
7. Add the marinara sauce and simmer over medium-low heat until sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
8. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
9. To make the sandwiches: spoon the hot meatballs with some sauce over the bottoms of the the rolls.
10. Place 1/2 slice provolone on the top of meatballs and sprinkle with Parmesan.
11. Spread more sauce of the rolls tops, the flod the tops of the rolls over and serve.

Reviews

[-------]

We made this with Giada's marinara recipe & it was flawless!! I found the sauce & meatballs makes good pasta topping, thanks for sharing! :D

[Stir crazy]

I used dried parsley, used half of the parmesan cheese (to lower fat), crushed melba snack crackers, and ground beef and seasoned venison/pork sausage. My husband recommended shaping the meat into balls and tossing them into my palm like a baseball to pack the meatball together and compress air. The meatballs held together perfectly. My 2nd batch went together in a hurry and I skipped his suggestion. Shouldn't have been surprised when the meatballs fell apart while cooking in the sauce.

[MathMom.calif]

These are excellent. I've made them a few times. The first time was for New Year's Eve 2007 family gathering. Everyone raved about them.