Sub it In! a Recipe for Savory Meatball Burger Melts
We are a meatball loving family, and these days meatball subs are a big hit. Exhibit A: the kids actually come to the table when I announce meatball subs are on the menu. Exhibit B: they actually stay in their chairs more than 10 minutes (my husband has to set the timer for 10 minutes every night before our kids can get up. If that doesn't sound like a long time you're right. Getting our kids to sit at the table is like herding cats).
Related: 8 seriously addicting Chai-flavored recipes
But not when it comes to meatball subs. The thing is, the kids end up deconstructing their subs because they are too difficult to eat which leads to a mess of extraordinary proportions (picture runaway meatballs). So all this got me thinking: the meatballs are too big and messy so we end up cutting up the sandwiches. So why not make meatballs in a burger shape? And that's exactly what I did (with ground chicken instead of ground beef). Now we can have meatball burgers at least once a week without the fat and cholesterol and with all the yummy flavor and get through a meal in our chairs.
Meatball Burger Melt Recipe
1 pound ground chicken breast (trust me, it's delish)
1/2 cup grated onion
1/4 cup italian season breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan/remano cheese mix
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
few grind of salt and pepper
jar of your favorite marinara
sliced mozzarella
fresh basil leaves
round, crusty Italian mini loaves or hamburger buns
In a large bowl place the ground chicken, onion, dried herbs, breadcrumbs, grated cheese, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Give it a slight stir. In a small bowl combine the egg, worcestershire sauce and ketchup and whisk together. Pour over the chicken mixture and mix with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form patties the size of your bread, these won't shrink much. Preheat your grill to medium high. Place the patties onto the grill and do not move them. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 3-5 minutes (depending on how big your patties are).
Flip and cook until thermometer reads 165 degrees. Remove from grill. Turn on the broiler and line a baking sheet with non stick foil. Slice the bread and place on foil.Layer, starting with the patty, add marinara sauce, then sliced mozzarella. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Top with fresh basil leaves and place the bun top on. Serve and watch as your kids are silent and sitting and eating. Happy mouths, happy family.
- By Macki West
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