Italian Meatball Sub with Michel's Meatball seasoning

Medium Bloom | Savory, Rustic, and Comforting

Serves 4

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground beef (450 g)

• ½ cup breadcrumbs (50 g)

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)

• 1 large egg, beaten (50 g)

• 1 tablespoon Oak City Spice Blends Michel’s Meatball seasoning (6 g)

Sauce

• 1½ cups marinara sauce (360 ml)

• 1 tablespoon Oak City Spice Blends Michel’s Meatball seasoning (6 g)

Assembly

• 4 sub rolls

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (55 g)

Method

1. Prepare the Meatballs

   1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

   2. In a large bowl, combine:

      1. ground beef

      2. breadcrumbs

      3. Parmesan cheese

      4. beaten egg

      5. 1 tablespoon Michel’s Meatball seasoning

   3. Mix gently until combined.

   4. Do not overwork the meat mixture or the meatballs can become dense.

   5. Form into 16 meatballs.

2. Bake

   1. Place meatballs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

   2. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

3. Bloom the Sauce

   1. While the meatballs bake, warm marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

   2. Add the remaining tablespoon of Michel’s Meatball seasoning directly into the warm sauce.

   3. Allow the seasoning to simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.

4. Build the Flavor

   1. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer another 5 minutes.

   2. The sauce should lightly cling to the meatballs.

5. Assemble the Subs

   1. Slice sub rolls lengthwise.

   2. Place 4 meatballs into each roll and spoon extra sauce over top.

   3. Finish with mozzarella cheese.

   4. Broil 1–2 minutes until melted and lightly browned.

   5. Serve immediately.

Why the Blooming Works

Medium Bloom

This recipe uses a medium bloom inside the marinara sauce.

Michel’s Meatball seasoning contains basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, garlic, marjoram, black pepper, and pepper flakes. Simmering the blend directly in the warm tomato sauce allows the herbs and aromatics to hydrate and release deeper flavor into the oil and acidity already present in the marinara.

Tomato sauces are especially effective blooming environments because:

• olive oil carries the aromatic compounds

• gentle simmering softens dried herbs

• acidity brightens herbal flavors

• time allows the blend to integrate instead of sitting on the surface

The result is a sauce that tastes slower-cooked and more cohesive without requiring hours of simmering.

Pro Tip

For an even richer sub:

• brush the rolls lightly with olive oil

• toast briefly before filling

• finish with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley

These meatballs also work beautifully:

• over pasta

• inside baked ziti

• on garlic bread

• alongside roasted vegetables

Michel's Meatballs

$11.00

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Viking Salt

$11.00

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