The Best Meatball Sandwich You Will Ever Wrap Your Lips Around

by Dorothy Reinhold on August 3, 2014


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I can’t say enough good things about this sandwich. It’s really, really good, and my daughter said “These are the best meatballs I’ve ever eaten!” Luckily we have leftovers, so we can have it again!

This makes 50 little meatballs – a big batch! — with a great sweet-sour tangy sauce to coat them in. I served it on those little French rolls, so kids and lighter eaters could have one sandwich and adults could have two if they like.

Meatball Lover's Sandwich | ShockinglyDelicious.com A word about the beef: I used grass-fed Angus ground beef, 85% lean, 15% fat. Grass-fed beef has a slightly different taste than regular grain-fed beef, so try it if you have never had it before. We now prefer it. Also, fat = flavor, so I like a ground beef with a little fat in it – 15%-18% is my ideal. Suit yourself on the type of ground beef and fat composition you prefer. Luckily, there are many options available, as beef is a very versatile ingredient.

Meatball sandwiches for lunch? How about dinner? You decide.

Meatball Lover's Sandwich | ShockinglyDelicious.comMeatball Lover's Sandwich | ShockinglyDelicious.comMeatball Lover's Sandwich | ShockinglyDelicious.comMeatball Lover's Sandwich | ShockinglyDelicious.comJust go and make them, and then come back here and let’s appreciate our omnivore diet.

Dorothy’s Meatball Lover's Sandwich

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 sandwich

Tangy sweet-sour sauce coats little beefy meatballs for a meatball sandwich that might be the best you ever had.

Ingredients

    Meatballs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 2 cups soft fresh bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef (I used grass-fed Angus ground beef 85% lean, 15% fat)
  • Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (12-ounce) jar chili sauce (about 1 cup)
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons prepared Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)
  • Sandwich
  • 8 hoagie buns or submarine rolls, split

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 375F degrees. Mist a 15- by 10- by 1-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. Make meatballs: In a bowl, beat eggs and milk. Stir in bread crumbs, chopped onion and oregano. Add beef; mix well. (I mixed the meat and seasonings in my KitchenAid mixer on low. You could also do this by hand.) By hand, shape into 1-inch balls (will make 50).
  3. Place meatballs on prepared pan and bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.(If you’d like to make bigger meatballs, you could make 25 instead of 50; bake them 25 minutes.)
  4. Make sauce: While meatballs are baking, in a large pot or skillet, heat oil and sauté garlic in oil for a minute. Add chili sauce, add water to the chili sauce jar, put the lid on and shake to get all of the sauce out of the jar. Pour that into the pot, along with the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, celery seed and hot pepper sauce (if using). Bring to a boil, stir to combine and turn heat off until meatballs are done.
  5. When meatballs are out of the oven, add meatballs to sauce, stir gently to coat well and simmer on lowest setting for 5-10 minutes or so to combine flavors. Do not stir vigorously or you might break up meatballs.
  6. When ready to serve, pinch out and discard some of inside of buns if they are thick, leaving a 1/2-inch shell. Spoon meatball mixture into buns.
  7. Serves 8. There will likely be leftovers.

Notes

Salt: Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to the meatball mixture if you decide to use this recipe for meatballs without the sauce. If using with the sauce, it will be salty enough, so don’t add salt to the meatball mixture.

Hot sauce: If serving kids, omit the hot sauce from the recipe and just offer it at the table for those who wish.

Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/the-best-meatball-sandwich/

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Beef Checkoff. All opinions are my own.

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva August 6, 2014 at 5:52 pm

That sounds delicious – I’ll have to find that blend and try it myself! The sauce sounds scrumptious.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 7, 2014 at 5:23 am

Thanks Christy!

Reply

Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen August 6, 2014 at 2:05 pm

Oh Dorothy! That sandwich is calling my name!! Love it!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 6, 2014 at 3:47 pm

Bobbi,
It IS! And loudly!

Reply

Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons August 5, 2014 at 9:56 am

I’ve been on the lookout for a great sweet and sour meatball recipe. I think this is a keeper. Love that bit of celery seed in there.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 5, 2014 at 10:22 am

Lori,
This should do it for ya! Yeah, that celery seed gives you a hint of celery flavor without big chunks ruining your sauce or meatballs.

Reply

Susan August 4, 2014 at 1:53 pm

My mom does a very similar sweet and sour cocktail meatball recipe, except she tosses some jelly in there too. Also I can totally taste the different from grass-fed and grain-fed beef now that I only eat grass fed. There definitely needs to be some fat in there. p.s. I see why you had no leftovers!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 4, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Susan,
Yeah, I know exactly the recipe you mean, with the grape jelly!

Reply

Sally Newton August 4, 2014 at 5:56 am

The sauce seems amazing, what a great idea to use the chili sauce in it…

I love meatballs, haven’t met one I did not care for, and I also always bake mine instead of frying

Pinning this right away!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 4, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Thanks Sally!

Reply

Hezzi-D August 3, 2014 at 6:06 pm

Oh man these look amazing! I’ve seriously had a meatball craving for 4 weeks now and have yet to curb it. These meatballs make me want to lick the screen!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 4, 2014 at 5:14 am

Hezzi-D,
Ha ha…nice visual!

Reply

Janet August 3, 2014 at 4:17 pm

Your meatball sandwich looks fantastic, Dorothy! And, I agree with you about the difference great beef makes in any dish. I mean, if you’re going to eat, you may as well eat the best food available and I’d say your recipes ALWAYS qualify! Bravo, you!

xo

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 4, 2014 at 5:15 am

Janet,
Thank you so much! You are too sweet.

Reply

Bea August 3, 2014 at 2:20 pm

We also prefer grass fed beef over grain fed 🙂 – Your meatball sandwich sounds absolutely amazing, Dorothy.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 4, 2014 at 5:15 am

Bea,
We can be in the grass-fed club together!

Reply

Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips August 3, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Love the little meatballs, and your sauce sounds fabulous!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 12:31 pm

Thanks Brianne! I think I like tiny meatballs better than the big honkin’ ones.

Reply

Shaina August 3, 2014 at 10:42 am

I can almost smell how amazingly delicious this must be from that sauce. Wow, love all the flavor in there!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 12:29 pm

Thanks Shaina!

Reply

Courtney @ Neighborfood August 3, 2014 at 10:19 am

I love meatball sandwiches. I’m saving this recipe for tailgating season!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Courtney,
Would be great for tailgating! You could keep them warm in a slow cooker if you have electricity. And you could make sliders out of them with those tiny King’s Hawaiian rolls.

Reply

Jennie @themessybakerblog August 3, 2014 at 10:02 am

I really want to wrap my lips around this sammie. Yum!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 12:31 pm

You do, Jennie. You do.

Reply

Family Foodie August 3, 2014 at 8:57 am

I can’t wait to wrap my lips around this fantastic meatball sandwich! I know my boys will love this one!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 9:53 am

Family Foodie,
This is definitely boy-approved! And my teenaged daughter said it was the best meatballs she had ever eaten, so I guess it is girl-approved, as well. 🙂

Reply

Amy August 3, 2014 at 8:12 am

I love a good meatball sandwich and I love the sound of this tangy spicy sauce!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 8:44 am

Amy,
Yeah, this is a tangy taste treat!

Reply

FoodieArmyWife August 3, 2014 at 7:50 am

There’s nothing better that a meatball sandwich! Yum!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 8:45 am

Foodie Army,
Agreed! Why is it that putting ground meat into little tiny meatballs makes it super appealing?

Reply

Liz August 3, 2014 at 6:44 am

My boys love to order meatball sandwiches at their favorite sub shops. I have a feeling they’d like your homemade version a whole lot more! I know I would!!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 8:45 am

Liz,
This was a huge hit with my menfolk.

Reply

Cindys Recipes and Writings August 3, 2014 at 6:26 am

I haven’t made meatball sandwiches at home in years. Thanks for the reminder and saucy recipe!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 8:46 am

Cindy,
Time’s a’wastin’…get those meatballs in the oven!

Reply

Tammi @ Momma's Meals August 3, 2014 at 5:18 am

I could eat this meatball sandwich EVERY day! I love the sauce too!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 6:01 am

Thanks Tammi! I think I could, too.

Reply

Renee August 3, 2014 at 3:45 am

I see meatballs and this sandwich in my very near future.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 6:01 am

Renee,
Oh yes, I think your beef-loving family will love this!

Reply

Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers August 3, 2014 at 3:24 am

Oh my gosh, your meatballs look good! I am loving the sandwich idea! Your photos are beautiful.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold August 3, 2014 at 6:02 am

Jennifer,
Thanks!

Reply

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