Meatball Boats

Meatball boats are a fun and delicious twist on classic meatballs, served in a “boat” made of bread or a similar base. They make for a great appetizer or a satisfying meal! Here’s an easy recipe for making Meatball Boats:

Ingredients:

• 12-16 frozen or homemade meatballs (about 1-inch size)
• 4 hoagie rolls or French bread (for the “boats”)
• 1 cup marinara sauce (or pizza sauce)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or oregano
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Olive oil (optional, for brushing)

Optional Add-Ins:

• Sautéed onions or bell peppers
• Sliced olives or pepperoncini
• Red pepper flakes (for a spicy kick)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the meatballs: If using frozen meatballs, heat them according to the package instructions, or cook your homemade meatballs until they’re fully cooked. Once ready, simmer the meatballs in marinara sauce for 5-10 minutes on medium heat to soak up the flavor.
3. Prepare the rolls: Slice the hoagie rolls in half, lengthwise, and hollow out the inside of the bread slightly, leaving enough of the edges to form a “boat” shape. You can use a spoon to gently remove some of the soft bread inside (save this for making breadcrumbs if you like).
4. Assemble the boats: Place the hollowed-out rolls on a baking sheet. Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce into each boat, then add the meatballs. Depending on the size of your rolls, you can fit about 3-4 meatballs per boat.
5. Top with cheese: After arranging the meatballs in the rolls, spoon more marinara sauce on top of the meatballs. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs, followed by a dusting of Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle Italian seasoning or oregano on top.
6. Bake: Place the meatball boats in the oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bread are golden and slightly crispy.
7. Garnish and serve: Once out of the oven, garnish the meatball boats with fresh basil or parsley, and a light drizzle of olive oil if desired.
8. Serve: Serve warm, and enjoy! These can be eaten with hands or served with a fork, depending on your preference.

Tips:

• Bread choice: You can also use baguette slices or mini sub rolls if you prefer smaller portions.
• Extra flavor: Add sautéed onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the boats before topping with cheese for extra flavor.
• Spicy variation: Add a few slices of pepperoncini or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

These Meatball Boats are cheesy, savory, and incredibly satisfying—perfect for game day, parties, or a fun family dinner!