Sausage Meatball Sandwiches

Ingredients

• •1½ pounds Italian sausage
• •8 tablespoons olive oil
• •1 bulb fennel
• •1 large onion
• •10 cloves garlic
• •to taste kosher salt and pepper
• •28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes
• •1 cup basil leaves
• •4 rolls hoagie rolls
• •4 ounces fresh mozzarella
• •sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Using wet hands, lightly roll sausage into 12 golf ball-size balls (about 2 oz. each). Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 10-12 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

   12 min

2. 2.

   Add fennel, onion, half of garlic, and 2 Tbsp. oil to same pot; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and golden brown around edges, 8-10 minutes.

   10 min

3. 3.

   Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce just begins to thicken, 5-8 minutes.

   8 min

4. 4.

   Return meatballs to pot, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by half and meatballs are coated and cooked through, 15-20 minutes.

   20 min

5. 5.

   Meanwhile, heat broiler. Process basil, remaining garlic, and remaining 4 Tbsp. oil in a food processor to a smooth paste; season with salt and pepper. Smear half of basil mixture over cut sides of rolls and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil rolls until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

   2 min

6. 6.

   Place meatballs inside rolls, then top with sauce and mozzarella. Broil until mozzarella is melted and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Spoon remaining basil mixture over sandwiches.

   5 min