Satisfy a Meatball Sub craving with this healthier Turkey Spinach Meatball Sub. Flavorful and swimming in marinara sauce, it's hard not to love this simple and delicious sandwich.
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour
Total Time 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Servings 12sandwiches
Calories 437kcal
Ingredients
Turkey Spinach Meatballs (makes 26 total)
1 ¼lbs.lean ground turkey
12oz.cut leaf spinachcooked and drained well
1yellow onionfinely diced
2garlic clovesfinely minced
1cuppanko breadcrumbs
½cupParmesan cheesegrated
1egg
2teaspoonsdried oregano or 4 teaspoons fresh oregano
½teaspoondried basil or 1 teaspoon fresh basil
1teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
Marinara Sauce
1tablespoonextra virgin olive oil
1yellow oniondiced
2garlic clovesminced
2 ¾cupstomato puree
½cupwater
1tablespoontomato paste
2teaspoonsdried oregano or 4 teaspoons fresh oregano
½teaspoondried basil or 1 teaspoon fresh basil
½teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
Sandwiches
12Ciabatta rolls
Fresh mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a baking sheet -- line it with parchment paper, aluminum foil or a silpat mat. Spray with cooking spray, and set aside.
In a large glass bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked spinach, onion, garlic cloves, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg and spices using your hands.
When the meatball mixture has come together and is well mixed, prepare the meatballs. Using a small cookie scoop, form the meatballs with your hands, then place carefully on the baking sheet. Repeat the process until all the mixture has been made into meatballs.
Bake the meatballs for 30-40 minutes, or until browned on the outside and cooked through in the middle.
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables have become translucent.
Pour in the tomato puree and water, stirring until combined. Add the tomato paste and the spices, and bring to a boil.
Once at a boil, lower heat to a simmer and partially cover, simmering until the meatballs have finished cooking.
Combine the meatballs and marinara
When the meatballs have finished cooking, transfer them directly into the marinara sauce.
Simmer the sauce and meatballs for an additional 30 minutes.
Prepare the sandwiches
Toast the bread.
Slice the bread in half, and place the fresh mozzarella down first on the bottom slice.
Gently spoon meatballs and marinara sauce on top of the mozzarella, then top the sandwich with the other half of the bread.