Meatball-and-Provolone Subs

Game day is just around the corner and, if you're like me, you'll be having guests over for the big game. Time to menu plan. Why not try these delicious meatball-and-provolone subs that were recently featured in F&W? You can use canned sauce to save time and you can make these ahead of time. Like any sandwich, bread is key so make sure to get fresh, soft rolls to make your fans happy.

Meatball-and-Provolone Subs

1. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
3. 6 large garlic cloves, minced
4. 2 teaspoons dried oregano
5. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
6. 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
7. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8. 1 cup plain dried bread crumbs
9. 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
10. 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
11. 1/3 cup milk
12. 2 teaspoons salt
13. 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
14. 1 1/2 pounds ground pork
15. 1 pound ground beef
16. 8 hero rolls, split
17. 3/4 pound thinly sliced provolone cheese

Preheat the oven to 400° and brush 2 rimmed baking sheets with olive oil. In a medium skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, oregano, fennel seeds, sage and crushed red pepper and cook over low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, 5 minutes; scrape into a bowl and let cool.

Add the bread crumbs to the bowl with the cheese, eggs, milk, salt and parsley. Add the pork and beef and knead gently until combined. Roll the mixture into 32 meatballs, about 2 1/2 inches each, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until nearly cooked through, shifting the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking.

Gently fold the meatballs into the warm tomato sauce in a pot. Simmer over moderate heat, covered, until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Wipe off the baking sheets. Set the open rolls on the baking sheets and top both halves with the sliced provolone. Bake for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts. Spoon the meatballs onto the rolls and top with the sauce. Serve right away.

Meatball-and-Provolone Subs