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Savory Bacon-Weave BBQ Meatball Sub

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A hearty and indulgent sandwich featuring juicy meatballs, a crispy bacon weave, spicy marinara BBQ sauce, and melted provolone cheese on sturdy sub rolls. Perfect for quick comfort food with bold flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
  • ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large egg, beaten, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 cup (240ml) spicy marinara sauce
  • ½ cup (120ml) BBQ sauce
  • 6–8 slices provolone cheese
  • 4 large sub sandwich rolls
  • Optional: sliced pickled jalapeños

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, beaten egg, and parsley if using. Mix gently until just combined. Form into 12 evenly sized meatballs about 1½ inches in diameter.
  2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). On a parchment-lined baking sheet, lay 4 strips of thick-cut bacon parallel, slightly overlapping. Weave 4 more strips perpendicularly over and under to create a tight bacon lattice. Trim edges if needed. Place bacon weave on one side of the baking sheet.
  3. Nestle meatballs on the other side of the baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F/71°C) and bacon weave is crispy. Rotate pan halfway through cooking.
  4. While baking, combine spicy marinara sauce and BBQ sauce in a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  5. Transfer bacon weave to a cutting board and slice into four equal squares. Warm sub rolls briefly in the oven or toaster.
  6. Place 3 meatballs on each roll, drizzle with the spicy BBQ marinara sauce, then layer 1 bacon weave square on top. Add 1-2 slices provolone cheese over the bacon weave.
  7. Place assembled subs back in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.
  8. Optionally garnish with sliced pickled jalapeños. Serve hot immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix meatball mixture to keep them tender. Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and flavor. Weave bacon tightly but leave some gaps for crisp edges. Preheat oven to ensure even cooking. Warm sauce gently to avoid bitterness. Assemble subs just before serving to prevent soggy bread. For extra crispy meatballs, sear in skillet 2 minutes per side before baking. Watch bacon weave closely near end of baking to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon weave, BBQ meatball sub, savory sandwich, provolone cheese, spicy marinara, comfort food, easy sandwich recipe

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/savory-bacon-weave-bbq-meatball-sub-recipe-easy-homemade-sandwich-ideas/