Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary sandwich experience into an extraordinary feast! These Old World Meaty Sandwiches are not just a meal; they're a flavor explosion that combines the rich, robust tastes of Italian-inspired ingredients with the comfort of a perfectly crafted sandwich. Imagine tender, perfectly seasoned ground beef and spicy Italian sausage, smothered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, all nestled in a crispy hoagie roll - this recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by dicing the onion, mincing the garlic, and having the ground beef and Italian sausage at room temperature.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat into small crumbles with a wooden spoon.
- Cook the meat mixture for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine with the meat mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Split the hoagie rolls lengthwise and place them on a baking sheet.
- Spoon the hot meat sauce generously into each hoagie roll, ensuring an even distribution.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce in each sandwich.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the rolls are slightly crispy.
- Remove from oven, let cool for 2-3 minutes, then serve hot with additional marinara sauce on the side if desired.
Tips
- Meat Matters: For the most flavorful results, use fresh ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (80/20 blend) and high-quality Italian sausage.
- Fat Management: When draining excess fat, leave about a tablespoon in the skillet to enhance the meat's flavor and keep the mixture moist.
- Cheese Melting Hack: For perfectly melted cheese, shred the mozzarella fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which can have anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Bread Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality hoagie rolls and slightly toast them before adding the meat mixture to prevent sogginess.
- Simmer Secrets: Let the meat sauce simmer on low heat to allow the flavors to meld together and develop a rich, deep taste.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping, and consider adding fresh basil or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra zest.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 603kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 40g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 105mg
