Ricotta Meatball Sandwich

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The ultimate juicy meatball sandwich. Tender and flavorful ricotta meatballs in a rich tomato sauce with melted provolone cheese served on a lightly toasted bread roll. This sandwich is sure to please everyone!

Yield: 23 meatballs

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: sandwiches

Author: Maryanne Cabrera

Ingredients

Ricotta Meatballs:

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 slices white bread, torn
⅓ cup whole milk
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup ricotta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly whisked
2 Tbsp Italian parsley, minced
1 pound 85% lean ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, season to taste

Other Components:

2 pound jar marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
6 Bolillo rolls, or bread rolls of choice
6 sliced provolone cheese
grated parmesan cheese, to garnish
minced Italian parsley, to garnish

Instructions

Meatballs:

In a medium skillet, warm up 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once skillet is hot, add diced onions. Cook over medium heat until onions are translucent. During the last 30 seconds of cooking, add minced garlic. Toss to combine. Once garlic fragrant and onions are cooked, remove from heat and place in a small bowl. Let cool and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine torn sandwich bread, milk, parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, and lightly whisked eggs. Then add minced parsley, ground beef and sausage. Add cooked onions and garlic mixture. Season with salt and black pepper. Using your hands, mash all the ingredients together.
Using a size 24 cookie/ice cream scoop, divide and portion out meatballs. Roll and pack the meatballs in the palm of your hands.
Brown the meatballs in batches over medium heat in an oiled skillet. No need to completely cook the meatballs, you just want to brown the outside. The meatballs will continue to cook in the sauce.
Place all the browned meatballs in a large pot. Pour in marinara sauce and let mixture come to a boil. Then reduce heat and let mixture simmer until the meatballs are warmed up and cooked throughout.

Sandwich Assembly:

To make the sandwiches, take our bread rolls and slice it about 90% open. Prop the roll oven and lightly toast in the oven. Place provolone cheese slices in the toasted bread. Spoon in cooked meatballs. If desired, place sandwich under the broiler for about 15-20 seconds until the cheese melts. Serve sandwich with a sprinkling grated parmesan cheese and minced Italian parsley.

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