We love to try new recipes and explore new foods in my family but there are always the busy nights when we need to figure out something to make for dinner…and fast. On those nights, we fall back on our tried and true recipes, the quick recipes that have never disappointed us. As a mom, it is always exciting when you discover a new recipe to add to your repertoire, adding variety to your weekly rotation. The chicken meatballs that I made for my Tapas for a Cure event over a year ago are one of those meals. 
We’ll make them with either chicken or turkey, enjoying them plain, on a salad, or heaped on a pile of pasta. One of our favorite meatball meals, however, has become a simple sandwich: meatballs smothered in spaghetti sauce and provolone cheese and sandwiched between a lightly toasted hoagie roll. It’s easy, comforting, healthy and family-friendly. To save time, you can make the sauce ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate it in smaller portions or use your favorite store-bought sauce.
PrintTurkey Meatball Sandwich
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These turkey meatball sandwiches are a comforting and family-friendly meal, featuring juicy meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and melted provolone cheese, all nestled in a toasted hoagie roll.
Ingredients
Marinara Sauce
- 1/2 of an onion, chopped
- 1/2 of a green bell pepper, chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 28-ounce (794g) can crushed tomatoes, including the juices
- 2 Tbsp (5g) chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp (8g) sugar, to taste
- 2 tsp (1g) crushed oregano
- 1 tsp (0,5g) basil
- 1 tsp (0,5g) crushed red pepper, optional
- Dash of black pepper
- Dash of salt, to taste
- 1 6-ounce (170g) can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup (10mL) water, optional, depending on the desired consistency
Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound (454g) ground turkey {or chicken}
- 1 Tbsp (2,5g) chopped parsley
- 3 Tbsp (7,5g) finely chopped spinach
- 3/4 tsp (1,8g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5g) salt
- 1/4 tsp (0,6g) black pepper
- 1 tsp (2g) paprika
- 1/2 tsp (1,2g) crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp (1,2g) cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tsp (2,5g) fennel seeds
- 1/4 cup (30g) feta cheese crumbles
Sub Sandwiches
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 4-8 slices of Provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup (85g) sliced pepperoncini peppers
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a pan, coat the bottom with olive oil and sauté the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and garlic over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and chopped parsley to the pan. Stir to combine and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the turkey mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown.
- While the meatballs are baking, lightly toast the hoagie rolls in the oven or on a skillet.
- Once the meatballs are done, place them in the simmering sauce and coat them well.
- To assemble the sandwiches, place a few meatballs on each hoagie roll, top with sauce and two slices of provolone cheese.
- Place the assembled sandwiches back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy your turkey meatball sandwiches.
Notes
For a quicker meal, prepare the marinara sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. You can substitute ground chicken for turkey if desired. These sandwiches pair well with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 85
