One of my ultimate comfort foods is the humble meatball. The funny thing is, we NEVER had them growing up. My mom, grandma, and aunts never really made them. Sure, we had spaghetti with meat sauce, but never meatballs. I always longed for a plate of pasta and meatballs, a la Lady and the Tramp. It’s just that kind of nostalgia evoked via cinema and whimsy that you sometimes crave. You know? As an adult, I have made certain meatballs have become part of my cooking repertoire.
Recently, I was contacted by Le Creuset and Williams Sonoma inquiring if I’d be interested in participating in a traveling potluck, dubbed #lapispotluck, using the exclusive Lapis French Oven. My answer was obviously, YES…duh. I have a Le Creuset Braiser that I treasure and use often, so I knew I would love a chance to use the French Oven. I’m just a sucker for enameled cast iron.
When I was thinking of what to make with this beautiful oven, I really wanted something with a color that would pop against that deep blue. Enter these Turkey & Zucchini Meatball Sandwiches. I love meatballs a top a pile of spaghetti, but there’s just something so irresistible about a messy, meatball sandwich. I knew the red sauce with bits of bright-green basil would compliment the Lapis hue perfectly, plus it would make a delicious dinner.
I made these meatballs with turkey, since it’s spring and some of us may be seeking comfort foods on the lighter side. Even though these are turkey meatballs, they are still juicy and full of flavor thanks to the sausage, aromatics, parmesan, and plenty of fresh zucchini. I like to brown my meatballs a bit before dropping them into the sauce for an extra layer of flavor, plus those brown bits leftover are perfect for helping to season the sauce–all made in the same pot! The meatballs are great on their own, but piled on top of a lightly toasted roll and topped with plenty of melty cheese and fragrant basil is absolute meatball sandwich perfection.
I was compensated by Le Creuset & Williams Sonoma for the development of this recipe. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- ½ lb. turkey Italian sausage (hot or sweet, depending on your preference)
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cups fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 heaping cup shredded
zuchinni - 1 heaping cup minced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- ¼ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon salt
- pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
- Sauce:
- 1
onion, diced fine - 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1, 28
ounce , can crushed tomatoes - salt to taste
- For sandwiches:
- basil
- shredded mozzarella
- parmesan
- sandwich rolls
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs and mix well. I like to use my hand in a claw-like motion, stirring in one direction vigorously until well combined. Scoop meat into golf-ball sized portions and set on a sheet pan or large plate. Heat your French oven, or other wide pot, over medium-high heat with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Brown the meatballs in batches, on at least 2 sides, remove the browned meatballs back to the plate or sheet pan (they do not need to be cooked through, cooking will continue in the sauce.
- Once the meatballs are done, lower the heat to medium and add the onions for the sauce to the pot, adding about 1 tablespoon of olive oil if needed, plus a pinch of salt. Sweat the onions, scraping the brown bits off the bottom of the pan as the onions become soft and release some liquid. Once the onions are translucent, add in the garlic, and cook for about 60 seconds. Add in the tomato paste, stir to combine, and cook until the tomato paste becomes a rusty-red color, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, stir to combine, and add a pinch of salt. Bring the sauce to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and add in the meatballs plus any juices collected on the sheet pan/plate. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Taste for seasoning before building your sandwiches.
- Preheat the broiler, split your sandwich rolls, place on a sheet pan, and toast lightly under the broiler. Top rolls with a few meatballs, mozzarella, and parmesan. Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly, remove from under the broiler and scatter with some torn or shredded basil. Serve hot and melty!
Um, dying. And drooling! Meatballs are my favorite but I never make them at home. But I can’t wait to use this lovely recipe (and how gorgeous is that red against that fabulous blue?)!
Thanks Amy! You definitely need to get your meatball on!
Goodness me!!! This is just OMG..
Yes! Thanks, girl!
Wow this sounds good. I just made turkey and zucchini burgers and the combo is amazing, so moist! I am a meatball fanatic, so I will try these for sure.
Awesome! I hope you do!
You did indeed pick the perfect food for that lapis dutch oven! The red and green is SO DANG pretty in there. And really, meatballs are kind of the best! I wish this was my lunch for real.
They definitely made a good leftover lunch…and pretty food always tastes better, right?!
These meatballs look amazing! I love that they’re lightened up with turkey and zucchini. I adore the photos too…my sisters gave me a blue Le Creuset saucepan(I think the Marseille color?) for my birthday recently, and now I want to make something red in it! The sauce and the blue pan look so pretty!
yes! That’s the best gift!
Meatballs are my comfort food of choice as well. I was lucky enough to have both my mom and grandmother make them on the regular. This sandwich looks amazing as well. Almost too perfect to eat!! 😉
ugh, so good! I definitely plan on being that mom that makes meatballs on the reg. Thanks, Todd!
You were right, the meatballs and sauce do look gorgeous against the blue! These sandwiches look amazing, and I love the mix you used for the meatballs. Definitely trying these myself soon!
Thanks, Josie!
Meatballs are the ultimate comfort food and the subs look killer! Also, I love the enameled cast iron too. It’s my favorite to cook with!
Thanks, Tieghan! That enameled cast iron is just a dream.
I just made like a million meatballs and froze them for post-baby meatball sandwich meals… I can’t wait! I might have to double up on our meatball stash with these turkey-zucchini yummies. 🙂
You are one smart mama. I’m definitely going to have to make some big batches of things and freeze them before the babe arrives!
I love meatballs too, and for some reason, my mom never made them either. What’s up with that, anyway??? Yours look so tempting, especially the way you’ve styled them with that gorgeous blue vessel!
So pretty! Blue always makes food look SO good.
Not that these pretty little babies need any help. I love me a meatball sub!
dat cheese melted on the meatballs in that last photo makes my heart melt 🙂
I definitely ate that cheese immediately after I took the photos…it was irresistable!
WOOOOOW. i would love this rigggght now. Haven’t had a chance to take my lunch break – I WANT IT! x
Made theses tonight!!! Loved them. I love to sneak in veggies anytime I can! I even put leftover zucchini in the sauce!
Awesome! I am so glad you liked them! Love that you added the leftover zucchini to the sauce.
made this last night for a quick and casual dinner with friends and it was so good! Winner for all the different taste buds & preferences 🙂
I swapped the breadcrumbs with rolled outs for a slightly healthier touch and it worked great! Didn’t even notice them!