Turkey Meatball Hoagie

In the past I don't know how many months, I have been cooking more and more with ground turkey. It's such a great alternative to hamburger and I've actually grown quite fond of it.

My husband was not as eagerly on board in the very beginning, but after threatening, I mean, tasting several meals I made him eat, well lets just say he actually likes it...a lot.

Here's how I made them.

Mix meatball ingredients and form into balls the size of golf balls, then place on a greased pan. Personally I always use greased tinfoil because I love the easy clean-up.

Bake for 8 minutes then turn and bake another 8 minutes. At this point, it's not so 

important that they be cooked through because we're going to finish them off in 

the tomato sauce. I just like to get a good brown on a couple sides. 

While the meatballs bake, start the sauce.

Saute onion, garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes in olive oil.

Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and thyme.

Add meatballs and cover with tomato sauce. Cook covered with the lid vented 

until meatballs are cooked through, about 10-15 minutes.

At this point the sauce will have thickened nicely. 

Most of the time I like mine with just a shaving of fresh Parmesan, 

but my son loves cheese melted off in the broiler.

Turkey Meatball Hoagie

1.2 lb ground turkey, 80/20

1 egg

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

2 tbsp Worcestershire

1/3 cup Parmesan, grated

2 lg garlic cloves, grated

2/3 cup dry Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup milk

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp dry minced onion

1/8-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Heat oven to 400* 

Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add rest of ingredients except turkey. Mix well. Crumble turkey into bowl and use a fork to blend just until mixed. Don't over mix.

Form into golf ball size meatballs and place on a greased foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, turn and cook for 6-8 minutes more. While meatballs cook prepare sauce.

TOMATO SAUCE

1/2 onion, diced small

2 garlic cloves, minced

2-3 tbsp olive oil

32oz can of crushed tomatoes

salt and pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp thyme

Saute onion and garlic in hot oil. Add all ingredients and simmer.

Place meatballs and any juice into tomato sauce covering meatballs with sauce. Simmer covered with lid vented 10-15 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked and sauce is thickened.

Serve meatballs on a toasted hoagie, 3 meatballs per sandwich. Top with additional grated Parmesan if desired.