Toaster-Oven Meatball Subs with Roasted Broccoli
By America's Test KitchenPublished on January 19, 2022
Time
1 hour
Yield
Serves 2
Ingredients
Before You Begin
We prefer to use our Quick Marinara Sauce here; however, you can substitute store-bought marinara sauce. Pre-toasting the sub rolls before adding the meatballs helps to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Instructions
- Adjust toaster oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line small rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray.
- Using fork, mash panko and egg into paste in large bowl. Stir in garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add ground beef and knead mixture with your hands until well combined. Pinch off and roll 2-inch pieces of mixture into balls and arrange on one half of prepared sheet (you should have 6 meatballs).
- Cut broccoli crowns into 4 wedges if 3 to 4 inches in diameter or 6 wedges if 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Toss broccoli with oil, sugar, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper in second large bowl. Lay broccoli cut side down on empty side of sheet. Roast until meatballs register at least 160 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer meatballs to plate and return sheet to oven. Roast until broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and transfer broccoli to serving platter. Discard foil. Place rolls on now-empty sheet and place 3 meatballs inside each roll. Top meatballs on each sandwich with ⅓ cup marinara sauce and 1 slice provolone. Bake until cheese is melted and sauce is heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Drizzle broccoli with lemon juice and extra oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with meatball subs.
Time
1 hourYield
Serves 2Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients
Why This Recipe Works
A submarine sandwich with saucy meatballs and melted cheese is a staple at many delis. But the key ingredient in the sub, the meatballs, can be a chore to make at home that also leaves a massive mess in the kitchen. To keep things simple this entire recipe—from making the meatballs to heating the sauce and melting the cheese—happens in the oven, avoiding stovetop splatter. Panko bread crumbs and an egg helped bind the meatballs together while still keeping them tender, and dropping the rolled meatballs right from the mixing bowl onto the sheet pan eliminated extra dishes. To balance out these rich, filling sandwiches, we wanted a lighter side. We tossed broccoli with a little oil and sugar for sweetness, then roasted it right alongside the meatballs. Assembling the subs on the sheet pan and putting the completed sandwiches back in the oven for just a few minutes allowed the cheese and sauce to warm through.
Before You Begin
We prefer to use our Quick Marinara Sauce here; however, you can substitute store-bought marinara sauce. Pre-toasting the sub rolls before adding the meatballs helps to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Instructions
- Adjust toaster oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Line small rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray.
- Using fork, mash panko and egg into paste in large bowl. Stir in garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add ground beef and knead mixture with your hands until well combined. Pinch off and roll 2-inch pieces of mixture into balls and arrange on one half of prepared sheet (you should have 6 meatballs).
- Cut broccoli crowns into 4 wedges if 3 to 4 inches in diameter or 6 wedges if 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Toss broccoli with oil, sugar, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper in second large bowl. Lay broccoli cut side down on empty side of sheet. Roast until meatballs register at least 160 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer meatballs to plate and return sheet to oven. Roast until broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove sheet from oven and transfer broccoli to serving platter. Discard foil. Place rolls on now-empty sheet and place 3 meatballs inside each roll. Top meatballs on each sandwich with ⅓ cup marinara sauce and 1 slice provolone. Bake until cheese is melted and sauce is heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Drizzle broccoli with lemon juice and extra oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with meatball subs.
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