OK, so I confused myself when typing out the title of this post.  Here in CT, we call these types of sandwiches grinders…but how many of you have actually heard that before?  I grew up calling them subs or heroes – the “grinder” completely baffled me when I went to college in New Haven so many years ago.  I know some of you guys call them hoagies too and there are probably a few other names that I’ve never before as well.

But the name is neither here nor there.  What really matters here is what’s on the inside: spicy turkey meatballs smothered in tomato-basil marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.  After a 5 hour drive back from northern Vermont today, this was the best dinner I could have asked for and when Kyle reminded what we were having tonight early on in my trip, it was almost all I could think about the rest of the way.  We always keep a bag of homemade meatballs in the freezer for quick dinners like this one and within 20 minutes of emptying the car of my bags and goodies, this outstanding dinner was on the table (coffee) and I had my feet up.  What an awesome way to end a great weekend!

Spicy Turkey Meatball Parm Subs
source: Smells Like Home original

Aside from using our favorite meatballs ever in these subs, we feel that the mozzarella cheese is the next most important element.  We use Polly-O part-skim mozzarella cheese in block form mostly because it is lower in calories and fat than whole milk mozzarella, but also because it melts beautifully in the oven.  Pre-shredded mozzarella will work here too but it just doesn’t melt as nicely.  Trust us here…we’ve made a lot of these types of subs. ;)

Ingredients:

  • 8 spicy turkey meatballs (about 1 1/2″ in diameter)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 4 6-inch sub, grinder, hero, or hoagie rolls
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/4-inch wide

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  In a medium sauce pan, heat the meatballs and sauce over medium-low heat until the meatballs are heated through, about 10 minutes.  Remove the meatballs from the sauce and slice each in half.
  2. Slice rolls horizontally almost all the way through the roll, taking care not the split the back edge.  Divide the sliced meatballs between all of the rolls.  Top with sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese.  Place the subs, with the cheese facing up, on a baking sheet – you can line it with parchment or aluminum foil for easy clean-up if you’d like.
  3. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is completely melted and starting to lightly brown on the tops and edges.  Allow the subs to cool for a few minutes before serving – they will be hot!