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Crockpot Meatball Sub Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 95 reviews

These Crockpot Meatball Subs feature juicy slow cooker meatballs simmered in a rich homemade marinara sauce, served on crusty baguette or ciabatta rolls with melted mozzarella and Romano cheese for a comforting and hearty Italian-American meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

  • 1 (28 oz) can peeled and crushed tomatoes
  • 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon salt, more or less to taste
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Meatballs

  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • 4 slices white sandwich bread, cubed
  • 1 yellow onion, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 4 slices bacon, finely minced
  • 1 (16 oz) package ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 (16 oz) package ground pork

Sandwich

  • Your choice of bread (baguette or ciabatta rolls recommended)
  • Sliced mozzarella cheese
  • Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: Grease a 6-quart crockpot with cooking spray, then add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, butter, onion, garlic, salt, basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper. Stir everything to combine, cover, and cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 3 hours to develop a rich flavor.
  2. Soak the Bread for Meatballs: In a large bowl, stir together the buttermilk and cubed white bread. Allow it to soak for 10 minutes so the bread absorbs the liquid, which will keep the meatballs tender.
  3. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: Add the finely minced yellow onion, garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, egg yolks, salt, oregano, and basil to the soaked bread mixture. Mix until well combined. Set this aside temporarily.
  4. Add Meats and Bacon: Gently incorporate the minced bacon, ground beef, and ground pork into the mixture using your hands. Careful not to over-mix; combine fully. Cover and refrigerate the meatball mixture until ready to cook.
  5. Preheat Oven Broiler: Place your oven rack in the top position and preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  6. Shape and Broil Meatballs: Using a large cookie scoop (approximately 3 tablespoons per meatball), scoop out 36 meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet. Broil for about 8 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. The meatballs should have nicely browned tops and reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
  7. Add Meatballs to Sauce: Once the sauce has cooked for 7 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH, add the broiled meatballs into the crockpot, submerging them under the sauce. Set the crockpot to HIGH and cook for an additional hour to allow flavors to meld and the meatballs to finish cooking.
  8. Adjust Seasoning: After cooking, taste the sauce and meatballs, then re-season with salt or pepper as needed.
  9. Assemble the Sandwiches: Slice your choice of baguette or ciabatta roll in half. Place meatballs on the bread, then top with thinly sliced mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with Romano or Parmesan cheese if desired.
  10. Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Serve: Serve immediately with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy your hearty Crockpot Meatball Subs!

Notes

  • Using a large cookie scoop makes evenly sized meatballs (about 3 tablespoons or 1.5 oz per meatball).
  • Broiler temperatures vary, so watch meatballs carefully to prevent burning.
  • Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop after thawing, if frozen.
  • Store cooked meatballs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
  • Choose bread that can hold up to juicy fillings, such as baguette or ciabatta, for best sandwich results.

Keywords: crockpot meatballs, crockpot sandwich, homemade meatball sandwich, homemade meatballs, meatball sub sandwich, meatball subs, slow cooker marinara, slow cooker meatballs, slow cooker sandwich

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/crockpot-meatball-sub-recipe/