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Meatball Boats

Meatball Boats
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Meatball Boats are a quick, easy, and comforting dinner option featuring juicy, flavorful meatballs nestled inside hollowed-out bread or vegetable “boats,” topped with melted cheese and savory marinara sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this customizable all-in-one meal combines protein, carbs, and veggies, offering a fun twist on classic flavors everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs (basil, oregano, parsley)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Boats

  • 4 thick slices sandwich bread (sourdough or Italian) or 2 zucchinis, halved and hollowed out

Toppings

  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheese of choice)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatballs: Combine ground meat with breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are incorporated, then form the mixture into small, uniform meatballs to ensure even cooking.
  2. Cook the Meatballs: Heat a pan over medium heat and sauté the meatballs until they develop a golden crust on all sides and are cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes for a hands-off method.
  3. Prepare the Boats: Hollow out the centers of thick sandwich bread slices or zucchini halves, leaving enough structure to hold the meatballs and toppings without collapsing.
  4. Assemble the Boats: Place the cooked meatballs inside each boat. Spoon marinara sauce generously over the meatballs, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese or your preferred cheese on top.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Arrange the assembled boats on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

Notes

  • Make sure meatballs are uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
  • Handle the meat mixture gently to keep meatballs tender and prevent toughness.
  • Choose bread with a firm crust or firm vegetables to avoid sogginess in the boats.
  • Keep extra marinara sauce on hand for dipping or adding more moisture as desired.
  • Add cheese towards the end of baking to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball boats, easy dinner, quick recipe, family dinner, kid-friendly, customizable, gluten free option, one dish meal

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/meatball-boats/