Sausage Meatball Sandwiches

Name: Sausage Meatball Sandwiches
Total time: 57 min
Yield: 4 servings
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

Juicy Italian sausage meatballs served on hoagie rolls with homemade tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a basil-garlic spread. These hearty sandwiches feature tender fennel and onions for added flavor.

4 servings

57 min

Published October 4, 2025

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Cooking Instructions

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

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

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

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

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

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