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Restaurants›Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Las Vegas›Meatball Hero Recipe

Meatball Hero Recipe

Name: Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Las Vegas Meatball Hero Recipe
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 0.5 lb ground Italian pork or pork sausage (mild, casing removed); 0.75 cups fresh breadcrumbs; 0.25 cups whole milk; 1 each large egg; 0.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tbs minced fresh parsley; 1 tsp minced garlic; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp kosher salt; 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbs olive oil (for browning); 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil; 0.25 cups minced onion; 1 tbs minced garlic; 14 oz crushed tomatoes (canned), 28 oz can equivalent used proportionally; 1 tbs tomato paste; 1 tsp dried basil; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 0.5 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity); 0.75 tsp salt (to taste); 0.25 tsp black pepper; 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 4 each fresh hero rolls (about 8–10 inch each); 8 oz fresh whole milk mozzarella, sliced or shredded; 2 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for toasting); 8 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional garnish); 4 cups romaine lettuce (for Caesar) - chopped; 0.5 cups Caesar dressing; 0.25 cups shaved Parmesan

Inspired by Carmine's Italian Restaurant - Las Vegas

Time1h

Serves4

Homemade Italian Meatballs Smothered in Marinara Sauce with Melted Mozzarella on a Fresh Hero Roll. Served with Your Choice of Side Caesar or Mixed Green Salad. Contains: Gluten, Dairy.

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Ingredients

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Meatballs & Filling (makes about 8 large meatballs / 4 sandwiches)

1 lb ground beef (80/20)

1/2 lb ground Italian pork or pork sausage (mild, casing removed)

3/4 cups fresh breadcrumbs

1/4 cups whole milk

1 each large egg

1/4 cups Grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbs minced fresh parsley

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp Dried oregano

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 tbs olive oil (for browning)

Marinara Sauce

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cups minced onion

1 tbs minced garlic

14 oz crushed tomatoes (canned), 28 oz can equivalent used proportionally

1 tbs tomato paste

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp Dried oregano

1/2 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

3/4 tsp salt (to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Assembly & Sandwich

4 each fresh hero rolls (about 8–10 inch each)

8 oz fresh whole milk mozzarella, sliced or shredded

2 tbs unsalted butter (optional, for toasting)

8 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)

Salad Options (choose one per sandwich)

4 cups romaine lettuce (for Caesar) - chopped

1/2 cups Caesar dressing

1/4 cups shaved Parmesan

1/2 cups croutons

4 cups mixed salad greens (for mixed green side)

1/4 cups vinaigrette (for mixed greens)

Method

Meatballs & Filling (makes about 8 large meatballs / 4 sandwiches)

Soak breadcrumbs

Place fresh breadcrumbs in a small bowl and pour the milk over them. Stir and let sit 5 minutes until absorbed.

Mix meatball ingredients

In a large bowl combine ground beef, ground pork, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan, minced parsley, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Use clean hands to mix gently until just combined; avoid overworking to keep meatballs tender.

Shape meatballs

Portion the mixture into eight even portions (about 3 ounces / 85 g each) and roll into compact rounds. Place on a plate or baking sheet.

Brown meatballs

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. When hot, add meatballs in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. They do not need to be cooked through—just nicely browned. Transfer browned meatballs to a plate.

Marinara Sauce

Start the sauce

In a medium wide saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add minced onion and sauté 3–4 minutes until translucent.

Add garlic and tomatoes

Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes (14 oz), tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Simmer with meatballs

Carefully add the browned meatballs to the simmering marinara, nestling them so they are mostly submerged. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer 18–22 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp 160°F / 71°C) and sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Assembly & Sandwich

Prepare rolls

Preheat oven broiler or a 375°F (190°C) oven. Slice hero rolls lengthwise, leaving a hinge if desired. Spread a thin layer of butter on cut sides if toasting. Lightly toast rolls under broiler or in oven until just golden, 1–3 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.

Assemble meatball heroes

Using a slotted spoon, place two large meatballs (or 3 medium) into each roll, spooning about 1/4–1/3 cup warm marinara over the meatballs per sandwich. Top with approximately 2 oz (about 2 slices or a small handful shredded) fresh mozzarella per sandwich.

Melt cheese

Place assembled sandwiches on a sheet pan and put under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, or in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes, until mozzarella is melted and bubbling. Remove carefully.

Finish and garnish

Garnish with fresh basil leaves if using. Serve the Meatball Hero immediately alongside your choice of Caesar or Mixed Green salad.

Salad Options

Caesar salad

Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing to coat (about 2 tablespoons dressing per cup of lettuce). Top with shaved Parmesan and croutons. Serve immediately.

Mixed green salad

Toss mixed greens with vinaigrette (about 1 tablespoon per cup of greens) just before serving so greens stay crisp.