Meatball Boats Recipe
Looking for a fun, hearty, and crowd-pleasing dinner? These Meatball Boats are a delicious twist on a classic meatball sub. Packed with juicy homemade meatballs, melty mozzarella, and rich marinara sauce, all nestled in crusty hoagie rolls or baguettes, this dish makes for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for game nights, family dinners, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh parsley (plus an additional 2 tablespoons, chopped, divided)
6 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Boat Base:
4 hoagie rolls or baguettes, hollowed out
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Make the Meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 4 cloves of minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Mix everything together until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
Using your hands or a scoop, form the mixture into medium-sized meatballs, about 1½ inches in diameter. You should get roughly 16–20 meatballs, depending on size.
In a large skillet or baking pan, cook or bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. If cooking in a skillet, add a little olive oil and turn the meatballs occasionally for even browning.
Prepare the Rolls
While the meatballs are cooking, take your hoagie rolls or baguettes and slice them lengthwise, being careful not to cut all the way through. Hollow out some of the inside to create space for the filling. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
Assemble the Boats
Spread a spoonful of marinara sauce inside each roll. Place 3–4 meatballs in each bread “boat,” depending on size. Spoon more marinara sauce over the meatballs, then generously top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley and the remaining minced garlic over the cheese.
Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you haven’t already. Bake the assembled boats for about 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bread is lightly toasted.
For an extra golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
Serve
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with a side of salad, roasted vegetables, or extra marinara for dipping.
Tips and Variations
- For spicier meatballs, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- Want to save time? Use high-quality frozen meatballs and jarred marinara.
- For added flavor, brush the inside of the rolls with garlic butter before filling.
- Substitute ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and pork if desired.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can make the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. Assembled meatball boats are best served fresh, but you can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Conclusion
These Meatball Boats are everything you love about classic Italian-American comfort food, packed into a handheld, cheesy, and saucy sandwich. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just looking for a cozy dinner idea, this recipe is sure to be a hit.