Stuffed Hot Sausage Meatball Subs

Ingredients:

2 pounds bulk Italian hot sausage

1/2 pound smoked mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 cubes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) plus more for drizzling

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

One 28-ounce can Italian crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup oil-cured sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped

Salt & pepper

Four 7-8 inch long crusty sub rolls

1/3 cup basil leaves, torn or shredded

Freshly grated pecorino-romano cheese, for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a bowl of warm water on a work surface. Arrange a rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Divide the sausage into 4 equal portions. Form 3 balls from each portion, nestling 1 mozzarella cube into the center of each meatball and sealing the meat around it. Coat the meatballs with a drizzle of EVOO, place on the rack on the baking sheet and roast until firm, about 18 minutes.

2. While the meatballs are cooking, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and olives: season with salt and pepper and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 7 minutes.

3. Remove the meatballs from the oven, turn off the heat, add the rolls and bake until crisp, 3 minutes. Split the rolls: top each with 3 meatballs and some sauce, basil and pecorino.

From: 30 Minute Meals
by:Rachel Ray