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Best Freezer-Friendly Mini Turkey Meatball Subs

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These mini turkey meatball subs are the ultimate freezer-friendly meal prep solution. Made with juicy turkey meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese on soft hoagie rolls, they are perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or a quick lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (93/7 recommended)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk
  • 1/4 cup (30g) grated onion
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 12 mini hoagie rolls or slider buns
  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) marinara sauce
  • 12 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese (or 1 1/2 cups shredded)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional, for brushing rolls)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, milk, grated onion, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 24 mini meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  4. Bake meatballs for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Split mini hoagie rolls in half, leaving a hinge. Place on a second parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of marinara sauce onto the bottom half of each roll.
  6. Place 2 mini meatballs on top of the sauce in each roll. Spoon another tablespoon of sauce over the meatballs. Top each with a slice of provolone or a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then carefully cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and rolls are heated through.
  8. Let subs cool completely on the baking sheet if freezing. For freezing, wrap each sub tightly in parchment paper, place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag, squeeze out air, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Grated onion is the secret to juicy meatballs. Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid toughness. For a crispier bread when serving fresh, skip the foil step and bake for 10-12 minutes total. To reheat from frozen, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or air fry at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey meatball subs, freezer-friendly, mini subs, meal prep, turkey meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/best-freezer-friendly-mini-turkey-meatball-subs/