What’s for dinner? Mini Meatball Sub Bake

March 4, 2015

What's for dinner? Mini Meatball Sub Bake | Sarcastic Cooking

Are you sick of getting asked, “What’s for dinner?” Are you sick of asking yourself that question? Did you maybe not realize that, once you became a mom, your life would revolve around food? Well, if you answered yes to any of those questions, then do I have something for you! The automatic-chef-in-a-box-2000!

No. Not really it is just me and my big brain trying to help you answer that question.

A while ago, I came up with this brainstorm about dinner. I bet you guys think I spend hours making dinner every single night. As much as I love cooking, I have been finding it very hard to make home cooked meals while ol’ cranky pants McGee pulls at my pant leg.

Most nights I kind of throw something together last minute based on what is in my fridge and pantry; or, something comes into my head the night before and I just make it. If I do make something for the blog, I either eat it for lunch or reheat it for dinner. When I do have time to cook for the blog, it takes up an hour maybe more of my nap time sanctuary. It takes that long because I want to make things look pretty for you!

As I ate, I thought I would start sharing real life, every day, non-recipe recipes—the stuff I eat weekly. After mulling things over in my head for a week before actually doing anything (because that’s what I do), I decided to take action. I went to the people, (my people!) on Facebook. I asked if this is something you would want to see.

With a resounding YES, you all answered. So, since I am a lady of the people, here is the first installment.

All you will need for this recipe are the following:

Mini Frozen Meatballs

Jarred Marinara

Ciabatta Bread or French Bread

Cheese

As this series unfolds, I promise to try and work in some family friendly, kid friendly and healthy recipes. I cannot promise this will please every member of your family. I am just hoping to help with the question that we all get or try and answer every night, “What’s for dinner?”

 

Mini Meatball Sub Bake

An easy answer to the question, "What's for dinner?" Mini meatballs, sauce, and cheese baked on top of bread until warm and bubbly. A very versatile recipe that cooks up in thirty minutes!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 Sandwiches

Ingredients

  • Mini Frozen Meatballs
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 Loaf of Ciabatta Bread or a French Baguette
  • Jarred Marinara Sauce
  • Shredded Mozzarella or Sliced Provolone Cheese

Instructions

  1. All you have to do for this recipe is preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Drizzle some olive oil on the bottom of a large Pyrex Baking dish.
  3. Cut the loaf of bread in half, length-wise. Then cut the bottom half of the loaf into eight small pieces. Place them into the pan. Lightly drizzle with more olive oil. Place two to three mini meatballs on each slice of bread. Cover with a little bit of sauce and cheese.
  4. Cover the dish in tin foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until frozen meatballs are cooked through.
  5. Uncover and serve hot! They are messy so be prepared.
  6. Notes: To bump up the nutritional value stir in some finely chopped fresh spinach to the sauce before adding it to the dish.
  7. You can also save the top half for another meatball sub bake and pop it in the freezer until you need it or you can toast it on a separate pan and then slice it and use it for tops to the sandwiches.

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  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    March 6, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    I want this sandwich in my face. Now.

    • Stefanie
      March 7, 2015 at 6:42 am

      Sigh, if only we lived closer!

  • Joanne
    March 6, 2015 at 6:35 am

    I’m pretty sure the.boy would say YES to these sandwiches every night! I’m going to try them with my eggplant “meat”balls!

  • Susan
    March 5, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Wait my life revolves around food and I’m not a mom! Also I still get asked what’s for dinner all the time (even if I’ve already told said person). I kind of love this, easy and perfect comfort food.

    • Stefanie
      March 5, 2015 at 5:03 pm

      Hahaha must be a man thing… It’s like they have selective hearing.

  • Julia
    March 4, 2015 at 8:42 am

    Stop.It. Now I know what I’m eating for dinner every day for the rest of my life! I love meatballs like whoa and meatball sandos were always my favorite. I seriously want to nestle up in that melted cheese and take a meatball sub food coma nap.

    • Stefanie
      March 4, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Food coma naps are the best!