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Meatball Boats

Meatball Boats

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Meatball Boats: A Fun and Delicious Family-Friendly Dish

Looking for a fun, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that the whole family will love? Try Meatball Boats—a creative twist on classic meatballs that’s sure to impress. These meatball-filled creations are served in a “boat” of bread, topped with gooey cheese, and baked to perfection. Whether you’re serving them for dinner, a party, or a casual get-together, Meatball Boats are a surefire hit!

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make these savory meatball boats from scratch, along with some variations to customize the recipe to your family’s taste. So, let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love Meatball Boats

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a moment to talk about why these Meatball Boats are such a great choice:

  • Fun Presentation: Meatball Boats are fun to eat and visually striking, making them perfect for kids (and adults!) to enjoy. The idea of “boats” filled with savory meatballs and melted cheese is guaranteed to get everyone excited.
  • Customizable: You can personalize the filling and toppings to suit your tastes. Add your favorite herbs, sauces, or veggies to make this dish your own.
  • Quick and Easy: This recipe is quick to prepare, and you don’t need many ingredients. It’s ideal for a busy weeknight meal or a last-minute dinner for guests.
  • Great for Meal Prep: Meatball Boats can be easily made in batches and frozen for later. This makes them a great meal prep option to have on hand for those days when you need something hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients for Meatball Boats

Here’s what you’ll need for the base of your Meatball Boats:

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (you can also use a combination of both)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use Italian-style for added flavor)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup milk (or water, if preferred)

For the Boats:

  • 4 large sandwich rolls (sub rolls, baguettes, or any long, soft bread will work)
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or a blend of mozzarella and provolone for extra flavor)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

How to Make Meatball Boats

Step 1: Make the Meatballs

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix until everything is evenly incorporated. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
  3. Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should have around 20-24 meatballs depending on the size.
  4. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchm