Meatball Boats are a fun and tasty way to enjoy meatballs in a unique presentation. Here’s a simple recipe to make Meatball Boats:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 1 cup marinara sauce
– 4-6 hoagie rolls or sub rolls
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Make the meatballs:** In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. **Form meatballs:** Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
4. **Cook the meatballs:** Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of olive oil. Cook the meatballs until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked through as they will finish cooking in the oven.
5. **Prepare the boats:** While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the hoagie rolls. Cut a V-shaped wedge out of the top of each roll to create a “boat.”
6. **Assemble the boats:** Place a spoonful of marinara sauce into each hoagie roll boat. Arrange the partially cooked meatballs inside the rolls.
7. **Add cheese and bake:** Spoon more marinara sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. **Bake:** Place the assembled meatball boats on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the meatballs are cooked through.
9. **Garnish and serve:** Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve warm.
These Meatball Boats are perfect for a quick and delicious dinner or as a party appetizer. They’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike! Adjust the seasoning and cheese according to your preference and enjoy this flavorful twist on classic meatballs.
