Introduction: MEATBALL SUB WITH FRIES (Quick & Easy Recipe)

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About: I am a 82-year-old self-proclaimed Chef who has spent most of his life in the hotel/resort tourism industry. I have traveled up and down the east coast of the United States from New York to Key West, and from …

If you're in a hurry and don't have anything to cook for dinner tonight, stop at the store on your way home and buy these 5 ingredients (better yet, buy them now and keep them in the refrigerator for special times like this)! I seldom eat in fast-food establishments or even cook this kind of food at home but when I find healthy, great tasting, easy to use, prepackaged foods that I like I want to share them with my family, my friends, and my followers.

Step 1: THE FIVE INGREDIENTS (1 Sub With Fries)

  1. *4 frozen Johnsonville Fully Cooked Classic Italian Style Meatballs
  2. *3 ounces Season's Choice frozen Seasoned Zesty French Fried Potatoes (about 22 fries)
  3. *2 TBS Publix Premium Marinara Pasta Sauce
  4. 1 Vienna-style 6" sub roll
  5. **2 TBS Shredded Sargento 6 Cheese Italian
  • *NOTES: I bought the Johnsonville meatballs at a local Walmart, the fries at Aldi, and the Marinara Sauce and Vienna Roll in a local Publix. It really does not matter what brands you buy, or where you by them. Just choose the brands that have the minimum amount of "unidentifiable" ingredients. The Johnsonville meatballs contain no artificial flavors or colors, no nitrates or nitrites, and no MSG - and they really taste good. A 15-ounce package contains about 20 meatballs. The Season's Choice fries are almost as healthy (and also delicious), and the Publix Premium brand marinara sauce is about as pure as any sauce you can make at home!

Just double the recipe for 2 people, triple it for 3, etc., etc., etc.

(PLEASE NOTE: I do NOT receive any monies or benefits from the brands of food items that I reference).

  • **NOTE: I updated this recipe tonight, October 18, 2016, and this time I used Sargento's 6 Cheese Italian shredded cheese instead of grated Parmesan cheese used in the original recipe.

Step 2: INSTRUCTIONS

*Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  1. Cover a small baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup) and spray with cooking spray.
  2. Place the frozen meatballs and frozen french fries on the sheet. Keep the meatballs from touching and spread the fries in a single layer.
  3. *Bake for about 23 minutes, turning one time after the foods have baked for about 10 - 12 minutes.
  4. **While the meatballs & fries are baking, pour 1/4 cup of tomato sauce into a microwaveable container and set aside.
  5. Grate 2 TBS cheese (I used 2 TBS of Sargenton shredded 6 Cheese Italian) and set aside.
  6. Split a sub roll in half; gently pull out and discard (or eat) some of the bread that forms the center of the roll (to make room for the meatballs - do not pull out too much bread; you don't want to puncture the bottom crust), and set aside.
  7. When the meatballs and fries are baked to your liking (meatballs will be browned and should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F), remove the baking sheet from the oven and turn on the overhead broiler (heat to about 500 degrees F).
  8. While the broiler is heating up, microwave the tomato sauce for about 30 seconds.
  9. Place the meatballs on the bottom half of the sub roll, spread the tomato sauce over both halves of the roll; top with grated or shredded cheese, and place the pan under the broiler (OK to leave on center rack). Broil just until the cheese is melted; remove pan and place the top half of the roll over the meatballs.
  10. Serve ASAP!
  • *NOTE: Package instructions indicated that the meatballs & french fries should be baked at slightly different temperatures (one was at 425, the other at 375, and for slightly different times. I found that baking them together for 23 minutes at 400 degrees F worked just fine!
  • **NOTE: Although not shown here, I did add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon of dried Oregano, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil leaves to the tomato sauce before microwaving it. This is certainly optional, and you can add any herbs or spices you like to the tomato sauce.

Step 3: TIME TO EAT . . .

I enjoyed my really tasty Italian-style meatball sub and oven-baked french fries with a nice glass of Yellow Tail Pinot Noir from Australia, however, you might find a frosted mug of your favorite beer equally enjoyable!

Step 4: NUTRITION

I have estimated the nutritional values of this recipe to the best of my ability using the MyFitnessPal Recipe Analyzer. (Wine not included in estimate). Just click on the image to enlarge it.

(You may note that this meal is rather high in calories and sodium, but it is also has an estimated 32 grams of protein per serving. As far as I am concerned, it is OK to enjoy a meal like this on occasion; especially if you have had a light breakfast and/or luncheon).

Meat Contest 2016

Participated in the
Meat Contest 2016