Meatball Panini Recipes

MINIATURE MEATBALL PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a food processor or blender, process the ends of the loaf of bread to fine breadcrumbs, about 1/2 cup. Set the remaining bread aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, meat, egg, cheeses, parsley, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix with your hands to combine well.
• Roll the meat mixture into 1-inch balls and reserve on a baking sheet. Lay 2 slices of bread on work surface. Butter one side of each piece. Place 4 meatballs on the buttered surface of the slice of bread. Top with a second slice of bread, buttered side down, and press firmly to adhere. Use a serrated knife to cut the crusts from the bread. Bake the crusts separately for a "chef's treat." Repeat with the remaining meatballs and bread. This process can be done assembly-line style, lining up slices of buttered bread and assembling a number at a time. Prepare 2 baking sheets at a time if possible.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat, if necessary, until all sandwiches are cooked. Remove from the pan and cool. Serve slightly warm.

MEATBALL PARMIGIANA SLIDERS

Steps:

• Make the meatballs: Soak bread in milk for 5 minutes. Gently mix bread and milk with meats, Pecorino Romano, parsley, garlic, egg, and 1 teaspoon salt. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll mixture into twenty-four 1-ounce balls (each about the size of a golf ball).
• Heat sauce in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Drop meatballs into sauce, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, partially covered, until meatballs are cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Make the sandwiches: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Working in batches, arrange rolls, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Place 1 meatball, a spoonful of sauce, 1 tablespoon mozzarella, and 1 teaspoon Pecorino Romano on bottom halves. Bake until cheese melts, about 3 minutes. Sandwich with basil.

CHEESY MEATBALL SLIDERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, pesto and egg; mix lightly. Shape into 12 meatballs; place on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until browned and a thermometer reads 160°, about 35 minutes. Toss meatballs with sauce; set aside., Meanwhile, without separating rolls, cut horizontally in half; arrange bottom halves in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Place half of cheese slices over roll bottoms; sprinkle with oregano. Add meatballs and sauce. Top with remaining cheese slices and bun tops., Combine butter, olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes; brush over buns. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with Parmesan and shredded mozzarella., Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes longer. Sprinkle with basil before serving.

EASY MEATBALL PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat Broiler.
• Combine meatballs and pizza sauce in a large saucepan.
• Cover and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes or til heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cut a thin slice from the top of each roll, hollow out roll leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick shell, Discard bread from rolls or save for another use.
• Place hollowed out rolls and roll tops, cut sides up, on baking sheet.
• Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or till lightly toasted.
• Remove roll tops from the baking sheet.
• Spoon meatballs and sauce into toasted rolls.
• Top with cheese.
• Broil about 1 minute more or till cheese is melted.
• To serve, place basil or spinach leaves on top of cheese and replace roll tops.

MEATBALL SUB PANINI

Steps:

• Pre-heat panini grill to medium-high.
• Slice meatballs into 1/4" rounds. Warm meatballs and marinara sauce in the microwave.
• Butter 1 side of each slice of bread, lay butter-side down on your work surface.
• On one slice of bread, layer ingredients in the following order: 1oz cheese, marinara sauce, meatball slices, more marinara sauce, remaining cheese, top piece of bread, with buttered sides facing out.
• Place assembled sandwich on the hot grill, and close, pressing down for about a minute. Continue cooking for a few minutes, until golden brown.