Meatball Boats Recipe: Inspired by sub but is more appealing and tastier!
Meatball Boats are the newest star at home. They taste awesome and make a better presentation. I am obsessed! From the first time I tried it up to this day, meatball boats have become one of my favorite Friday night treats!
The meatballs are homemade, then served on a carved-out bun clothed in garlic butter and oozing with cheese. Once these meatball boats come out of the oven, you’ll be greeted with cheesy, mouthwatering deliciousness that is out of this world!
What You Need To Make These Meatball Boats
- Ground beef
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Fresh parsley
- Cloves garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Vegetable oil
- Soft rolls
- Mozzarella cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Butter
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
To make this recipe gluten-free (you should use these ingredients instead):
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Cornflakes are a great gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs.
- Gluten-free soft rolls.
Steps To Make Meatball Boats
Step 1: Combine the ground beef with eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Into golf ball-size balls, shape the beef mixture.
Garlic:
Parsley:
Salt & pepper:
Step 2: Cook the meatballs until all sides are browned.
Step 3: To create a boat, cut the top off of the soft rolls and press the inside down.
Step 4: Combine the melted butter with garlic and parsley.
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Garlic:
Parsley:
Step 5: With the garlic butter, brush the rolls and bake until toasted.
Step 6: In the rolls, place two mozzarella slices and top with a spoonful of marinara.
Top with marinara:
Step 7: In the boat, plate three meatballs and top with extra marinara.
Top with extra marinara:
Step 8: Bake until the cheese has melted.
Step 9: Before serving, top the meatball boats with Parmesan cheese. Dig in!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to avoid overcooking meatballs?
Check the internal temperature. Once a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F, the meatballs are perfectly cooked!
Why are my meatballs tough?
Avoid overmixing! The meatballs will be tough if you overwork them. Mix using your fingers as lighter as possible until the ingredients are just combined.
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Meatball Boats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cloves garlic minced, divided
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 c. fresh parsley plus 2 tbsp - chopped, divided
- 1 c. breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil
- 1 c. marinara sauce
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 c. butter melted
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 soft rolls
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Place the ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, 1/4 c. parsley, 3 cloves garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well until just combined, then form the beef mixture into golf ball-size balls.
- Cook the meatballs in a hot cast iron pan or skillet with oil over medium-high heat until all sides are browned. To a plate, set the meatballs aside.
- Set the oven to 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C.
- On a baking sheet, place the soft rolls. Using a knife, cut the top of the rolls and press the inside down to make a boat.
- Combine the melted butter, 3 cloves garlic, and 2 tbsp parsley.
- With the garlic butter, brush the rolls and bake for about 5 minutes until toasted.
- In the rolls, place two slices of mozzarella and top with a spoonful of marinara.
- In the boat, place three meatballs. On top, add more marinara.
- Return to the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Before serving, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top of the meatballs.
Notes
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I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
