Homemade Meatballs

in Beef, Freezer Friendly, Sandwich & Wraps

Two years ago today, I married the coolest guy on earth. He wouldn’t touch most of the things I liked to cook, but lucky enough for him, he married one of the coolest chicks on earth. He was patient enough to help me improve my golf swing and forgiving enough to overlook my potty mouth that becomes impressively colorful when I get frustrated. He is my test kitchen taste tester, sous chef, technical support, reacher-of-things-off-of-the-top-shelf, sounding board, and opener-of-the-jelly jar.

My husband’s pre-Foodie Bride menu consisted of: Stouffer’s Lasagna, Red Baron Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza, and bowtie with meat sauce. No more, no less. When I cooked for him the first time, I was armed only with the information that he liked pasta. While it sounded simple enough, I managed to turn it into one big fat disaster.

What do you cook for a man that likes almost nothing? I watched what he ordered at restaurants. At Jason’s Deli, he always ordered the meatball sub and chicken panini. At Quizno’s, he always ordered the meatball sub. At Subway, he complained of how he always smelled weird after being in the store for only 5 minutes waiting on them to make his meatball sub.

This is now my husband’s favorite meatball recipe. We saw it on an episode of Bobby Flay’s Throwdown late last year and we made them immediately. They’re super moist, flavorful, and make for a darn good meatball sub.

The Best Homemade Meatballs

Moist, tender, flavorful meatballs perfect for homemade meatball subs.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chuck*
  • 4 oz dried bread crumbs*
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 oz whole milk
  • 6 oz grated Romano*
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves finely diced fresh garlic
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
  • Note that (*) measurements are by weight

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray.
  3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in large bowl. (I toasted some 7 Grain bread for the breadcrumbs and used my food processor to thoroughly obliterate the onions and garlic).
  4. Roll loosely or use a small scoop to scoop meatballs about the size of a golf ball and place on baking sheet.
  5. Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes.
  6. To freeze: After forming the meatballs, place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
  7. Freeze until solid and transfer into a freezer bag.
  8. Place them on a greased baking sheet into a 350-degree oven, frozen, and cook for 18-20 minutes.

Notes

Yields: ~3 1/2 dozen meatballs

Adapted from The Food Network

Estimated time: 45 minutes

15 comments… add one
  • Happy Anniversary! Mine wont eat anything I make either…but he would eat those meatballs.

  • Happy Anniversary!

  • Happy Anniversary! Your husband’s diet sounds suspiciously like mine before marriage.

  • Happy Anniversary! Those meatballs look delish!

  • Happy Anniversary – we share the same one, date and year! 🙂 Mine would love these meatballs – and I totally laughed at the subway comment. Many many more to you and yours.

  • Happy Anniversary!! The story of you cooking for your then-boyfriend for the first time is too funny! My boyfriend would *love* that meatball sub. We just ate Quizno’s last night and he got the Primo Meatball sub. Sound a bit familiar? 🙂

    *I also tried your pink lemonade cupcakes, and I’m not sure if I commented on them, but they were SO delish! My mom loved them so much she requested them again for her birthday!

  • Mellisa

    I completely agree about the Subway smell. I always think twice before going in.

  • Thanks!

    And happy anniversary to you guys, too, Mollie!

  • Peggy

    Are we married to the same man?? I’m going to try the meatball recipe today because i have defrosted some ground beef and everything i suggest, he keeps saying no he won’t even try it… good to see you’ve made it 2 years we’ve been married a couple of months and the eating thing drives me nuts, but to be fair i knew this for 5 years before i married him and i love him anyways 🙂

  • amazing how many hubbys’ belong to really good cooks here in food-blogger land and yet they only eat meatball subs, sloppy joes, cheeseburgers or plain steak. I have one of those hubbys’. It’s very rare that he eats any of my sweet creations. If I’m making a sloppy joe or cheeseburger then he’s in. Frustrating for sure.
    I just found your website, love it and will return.
    I obviously have to steal this meatball sub recipe for obvious reasons 🙂

  • That was pretty good, keep up the good job.

  • Amy

    Your husband’s right. I avoid going to Subway during my lunch break bc I don’t want to come back to work smelling like their store.

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