Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, has captured hearts with her down-to-earth recipes and heartwarming approach to cooking. Her meatball recipe is a classic for a reason – it’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. But have you ever thought about turning those amazing meatballs into a mouthwatering meatball sub? Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food mashup with this Pioneer Woman-inspired meatball sub recipe that takes Ree’s original magic and elevates it for sandwich perfection.
Why Pioneer Woman’s Meatballs are Perfect for Subs
The charm of Ree Drummond’s cooking lies in its approachability and deliciousness. She understands real home cooking, creating recipes that are satisfying without being overly fussy. Her meatball recipe is a testament to this philosophy. They’re not trying to be fancy; they’re just good, honest, and packed with flavor – exactly what you want in a meatball sub.
What makes Pioneer Woman’s meatballs so good? It’s the combination of simple ingredients, like ground beef, oats, and a tangy ketchup-based sauce, that creates a deeply flavorful and moist meatball. This recipe isn’t about complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. It’s about creating something genuinely delicious and satisfying with everyday staples, which translates perfectly to a hearty and comforting meatball sub.
The beauty of using Pioneer Woman’s meatball recipe as a base for subs is its versatility. The robust flavor of the meatballs holds up beautifully when paired with marinara sauce, cheese, and a crusty roll. You get that familiar comfort of Ree’s meatballs, amplified by the classic meatball sub experience.
Crafting the Perfect Pioneer Woman Meatball Sub
To transform Ree’s meatballs into incredible subs, we’ll stick closely to her original recipe, making slight adjustments to ensure they are sub-ready. We’ll focus on creating a juicy meatball and then building the perfect sandwich around it.
Here’s how we’ll build our Pioneer Woman meatball subs:
Meatball Foundation: We’ll use Ree’s core meatball recipe as the star. The oats ensure a tender texture, and the simple seasoning lets the beef flavor shine.
Sauce Amplification: While Ree’s meatball sauce is great for serving over pasta, for subs, we’ll enhance the tomato element with a rich marinara sauce to really soak into the bread and complement the cheese.
Cheesy Goodness: No meatball sub is complete without melted cheese. We’ll opt for classic mozzarella for its meltability and mild flavor, allowing the meatball flavor to remain prominent.
Bread is Key: A sturdy, slightly crusty sub roll is essential. It needs to hold up to the juicy meatballs and sauce without getting soggy.
Optional Toppings: While simplicity is key, we’ll explore some optional toppings to elevate your meatball sub experience, such as peppers or onions.
Let’s dive into the adapted recipe to make Pioneer Woman-inspired meatball subs that will become a family favorite.
Pioneer Woman Meatball Sub Recipe
This recipe adapts Ree Drummond’s famous meatballs into a delicious and satisfying meatball sub.
Pioneer Woman Meatballs
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 subs
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor and moisture)
- 3/4 cup quick oats (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- 3 tablespoons finely minced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons canola oil (or other neutral oil), for browning
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), for dredging
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tablespoons minced onion
- 1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional, for a little heat)
- 24 oz jar of your favorite marinara sauce (choose a robust and flavorful sauce)
For the Subs:
- 8 sturdy sub rolls, split lengthwise
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and quick oats. Pour in the milk, then add the minced onion, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into approximately 24 tablespoon-sized meatballs. Place them on a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow them to firm up. This helps them hold their shape during browning.
- Preheat and Brown: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Dredge and Brown Meatballs: Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each meatball in the flour, lightly coating all sides. Working in batches, brown the meatballs in the hot skillet until they are lightly browned on all sides. Browning adds depth of flavor. Don’t cook them through at this stage. As they are browned, transfer them to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Image showing meatballs being browned in a skillet, emphasizing the searing process.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and Tabasco sauce (if using). Pour the marinara sauce into the bowl and combine it with the ketchup mixture. This creates a richer, more complex sauce for the subs.
- Sauce the Meatballs: Pour the sauce evenly over the browned meatballs in the baking dish, ensuring each meatball is generously coated.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is hot and bubbly.
- Prepare the Sub Rolls: While the meatballs are baking, lightly toast the sub rolls in the oven or a toaster oven for a few minutes to give them a slight crispness. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- Assemble the Subs: Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven. For each sub, place 3 meatballs onto a toasted sub roll. Spoon extra sauce over the meatballs. Generously top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled subs to the oven (or place under a broiler) for 2-3 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, gooey, and slightly browned. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your Pioneer Woman Meatball Subs hot and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Meatball Subs:
- Don’t Overmix the Meat: Overmixing leads to tough meatballs. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Refrigerate the Meatballs: Chilling the meatballs helps them hold their shape during browning and baking.
- Brown for Flavor: Browning the meatballs, even though they will bake, adds a significant layer of flavor. Don’t skip this step.
- Use Quality Marinara: The marinara sauce is a key component of the sub. Choose a brand you love or make your own homemade marinara for an even more elevated flavor.
- Toast the Rolls: Toasting the sub rolls is crucial for preventing soggy subs.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add other toppings like sautéed bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to your subs before adding cheese. A sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning can also enhance the flavor. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use pepper jack cheese.
Enjoy Your Pioneer Woman Inspired Meatball Subs!
This Pioneer Woman meatball sub recipe brings together the comforting flavors of Ree Drummond’s classic meatballs with the satisfying experience of a loaded meatball sub. It’s a perfect meal for family dinners, game days, or any time you crave a hearty and delicious sandwich. Easy to make and packed with flavor, these meatball subs are sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation. Get ready for a taste of down-home comfort food that’s perfect for any occasion!
