Smashed Meatball Sandwiches Recipes

THE PERFECT MEATBALL SANDWICH

Steps:

• With an immersion blender, food processor, or blender, process tomatoes until mostly pureed--the texture of chunky salsa. You can also turn the tomatoes out into a bowl and crush them with your hands (don't discard the juices).
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and cook just until it starts to turn lightly golden--watch carefully so it doesn't burn! Add the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet along with water, salt, sugar, oregano, red pepper flakes, and sprig of basil. Cover with splatter screen and bring to a good simmer, turning up the heat if necessary. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until sauce is thickened. Taste and add more salt if needed.
• Remove basil sprig.
• Preheat your oven to 400°F. Butter both sides of your French rolls and sprinkle garlic powder over the top. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly toasted.
• Add a couple tablespoons of sauce to both sides of each French roll and top with 3 to 4 meatballs and 1/4 cup of mozzarella. Bake for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
• Add fresh basil if desired. Serve and enjoy!

SMASHED MEATBALL BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the egg, breadcrumbs, milk and Parmesan and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and fennel seeds and cook for another minute. Set aside to cool.
• Add the ground beef and ground pork to a medium bowl, spreading it out, and sprinkle the surface evenly with 1 teaspoon salt, a few turns of black pepper, a good pinch of crushed red pepper, the oregano and the parsley. Add the cooled onion mixture to the meat mixture. Mix with your hands quickly until just combined (don't overmix). Divide into 6 parts and shape into balls. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet or a griddle over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil. Cook the meatballs on one side until a brown crust is formed, 1 to 2 minutes, then flip and cook for 2 minutes; then smash with a big metal spatula. Top each with a slice of cheese and cook until the cheese is melted and the internal temperature is 160 degrees F, about 5 more minutes.
• Toast the rolls or focaccia either in a skillet or the oven, then spread each side with marinara sauce. Top each with a patty and 2 big leaves of basil. Enjoy!