🍝 Classic Meatball Boats Recipe
🕒 Total Time: ~40 minutes
Servings: 4 meatball boats
✨ Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef & pork)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste
For the Boats:
4 hoagie rolls or sub rolls
2 cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning
🔪 Directions:
1. Make the Meatballs
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Form into ~1-inch meatballs (about 16-18).
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned.
2. Prep the Rolls
While meatballs bake, cut a V-shaped trench out of the tops of your hoagie rolls (don’t cut all the way through).
Lightly press down the insides to form a “boat.”
In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley. Brush this mixture onto the insides and edges of the rolls.
Toast rolls in the oven for 5–7 minutes until slightly crispy.
3. Assemble the Boats
Fill each roll with a spoonful of marinara sauce.
Nestle 3–4 meatballs into each roll.
Top with more marinara and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella.
4. Final Bake
Return to oven and bake for 7–10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end to brown the cheese slightly.
🧄 Optional Add-Ins:
Caramelized onions
Roasted peppers
Jalapeños for a kick
Fresh basil for garnish