Imagine biting into a warm, toasty ciabatta bun filled with juicy, tender meatballs, all smothered in creamy, rich Alfredo sauce. This meatball sandwich with Alfredo sauce recipe takes comfort food to another level. It's simple, yet packed full of flavors that will have you coming back for more.
The majority of the ingredients required for this recipe are likely already in your pantry or refrigerator. However, you may need to make a trip to the supermarket for ciabatta buns and Alfredo sauce if you don't have these on hand. Alfredo sauce is a rich and creamy white sauce made from butter, heavy cream and parmesan cheese. It's often found in the pasta sauce aisle. Ciabatta buns are a type of Italian white bread that's crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients For Meatball Sandwich With Alfredo Sauce
Homestyle meatballs: These are typically made from a blend of beef and pork, seasoned with herbs and spices.Alfredo sauce: A rich and creamy sauce typically made from butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Ciabatta hamburger buns: A type of Italian white bread that's crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the Alfredo sauce.Parmesan cheese: A hard, granular cheese that adds a salty, umami flavor to the sandwich.
One reader, Koren Lucero says:
The meatball sandwich with alfredo sauce is a delightful combination of savory meatballs smothered in creamy alfredo sauce, nestled in a soft ciabatta bun. The flavors meld together perfectly, creating a truly indulgent and satisfying meal. It's a definite must-try for anyone who loves a hearty and delicious sandwich.
Mastering the Art of Meatball Sandwich Making
How to bake meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
How to simmer alfredo sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the alfredo sauce to a simmer.
How to assemble meatball sandwich: Place the baked meatballs and simmered alfredo sauce on the ciabatta buns and top with parmesan.
How to enjoy: Serve and enjoy the delicious meatball sandwich!
How To Make Meatball Sandwich with Alfredo Sauce
Turn the simple meatball sandwich into a special dish by adding a creamy and cheesy Alfredo sauce. Top it off with Parmesan cheese in a crunchy bun.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 32ozGreat Value® Homestyle Meatballs
- 3cupsalfredo sauce
- 4Marketside® Ciabatta Hamburger Buns
- parmesan cheese,freshly grated, for serving
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with foil.
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Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
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In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the alfredo sauce to a simmer.
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Place the meatballs and sauce on the ciabatta buns and top with Parmesan.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 1146.23kcal
- Fat: 77.75g
- Saturated Fat: 28.74g
- Trans Fat: 2.68g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 32.03g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 9.15g
- Carbohydrates: 52.01g
- Fiber: 2.58g
- Sugar: 7.25g
- Protein: 56.07g
- Cholesterol: 208.49mg
- Sodium: 2554.71mg
- Calcium: 509.27mg
- Potassium: 880.95mg
- Iron: 6.64mg
- Vitamin A: 54.84µg
- Vitamin C: 0.55mg
Expert Advice for Crafting the Perfect Meatball Sandwich
When making your meatball sandwich with alfredo sauce, it's important to evenly distribute the alfredo sauce over the meatballs. This ensures that every bite is full of flavor. You can also lightly toast the ciabatta buns before adding the meatballs and sauce. This will add a nice crunch to your sandwich and prevent the bread from getting soggy from the sauce.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Meatball Sandwiches
Prep ahead: Prepare the meatballs and alfredo sauce in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
Use store-bought: Save time by using pre-made alfredo sauce and pre-cooked meatballs, which can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
Multi-task: While the meatballs are baking, you can simultaneously heat the alfredo sauce on the stovetop, allowing you to assemble the sandwiches more efficiently.
Batch cooking: Consider making a large batch of meatballs and alfredo sauce, then freezing them in individual portions for quick and easy future meals.
Invest in a slow cooker: Utilize a slow cooker to simmer the meatballs in the alfredo sauce throughout the day, allowing the flavors to meld while saving you time in the kitchen.
Substitute Ingredients For Meatball Sandwich with Alfredo Sauce
great value® homestyle meatballs - Substitute with homemade meatballs: Homemade meatballs can be customized to your taste and texture preferences, and you can control the quality of the ingredients used.
alfredo sauce - Substitute with creamy garlic parmesan sauce: This alternative provides a similar creamy and savory flavor profile, with the added richness of garlic and parmesan.
marketside® ciabatta hamburger buns - Substitute with freshly baked ciabatta bread: Using freshly baked ciabatta bread will enhance the overall texture and flavor of the sandwich.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese offers a similar salty and nutty flavor to parmesan, adding depth to the dish.
Plating Ideas for a Delicious Meatball Sandwich
Elevate the meatball sandwich: Instead of serving the meatball sandwich in a traditional manner, consider deconstructing it and presenting the meatballs and alfredo sauce in a small cast iron skillet or a stylish ramekin. This adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the dish.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle the meatball sandwich with freshly chopped parsley or basil to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor. This simple addition will enhance the visual appeal of the dish and impress the judges with its attention to detail.
Create a sauce swirl: Use a small squeeze bottle to create an artistic swirl of alfredo sauce on the plate before placing the meatball sandwich. This technique adds a professional touch and showcases your precision and artistry in plating.
Incorporate microgreens: Garnish the meatball sandwich with delicate microgreens such as arugula or radish sprouts. These tiny greens not only add a subtle peppery flavor but also bring a refined and upscale aesthetic to the dish.
Utilize edible flowers: Consider adding a few edible flowers such as nasturtiums or violas to the plate for a visually stunning presentation. The vibrant colors and delicate petals will elevate the dish and demonstrate your creativity and attention to detail.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Meatball Sandwiches
- Baking sheet: A flat, metal sheet used for baking and roasting foods in the oven.
- Saucepan: A deep cooking pan with a long handle, used for making sauces, boiling liquids, and cooking small quantities of food.
Preserving Your Meatball Sandwich for Later Enjoyment
- Let the meatball sandwich cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It will keep for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- For longer storage, freeze the meatball sandwich:
- Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the bag or container with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat a refrigerated sandwich, unwrap it and place it on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- To reheat a frozen sandwich:
- Thaw the sandwich in the refrigerator overnight.
- Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- For best results, reheat the meatballs and alfredo sauce separately, then assemble the sandwich just before serving.
- If the alfredo sauce separates during storage or reheating, whisk it vigorously to recombine before serving.
Reviving Leftover Meatball Sandwiches
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the leftover meatball sandwich in aluminum foil and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sandwich is heated through and the cheese is melted. This method will help to retain the moisture in the bread and prevent it from becoming too crispy.
If you prefer a crispier texture, you can reheat the sandwich in a toaster oven. Place the unwrapped sandwich on the toaster oven rack and heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the filling is heated through. Keep an eye on the sandwich to ensure it doesn't burn.
For a quick and easy reheating method, use your microwave. Place the sandwich on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted. To prevent the bread from becoming soggy, place a damp paper towel over the sandwich before microwaving.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your leftover meatball sandwich. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the unwrapped sandwich in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sandwich is heated through and the bread is crispy.
For a stovetop method, heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the unwrapped sandwich on the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread is toasted and the filling is heated through. Press down gently on the sandwich with a spatula to ensure even heating.
Interesting Trivia About Meatball Sandwiches
Alfredo sauce was named after Alfredo di Lelio, an Italian restaurateur who created the sauce in Rome in the early 20th century. It was originally made with butter and Parmesan cheese, and later evolved to include heavy cream, creating the creamy and rich sauce we know today.
Budget-Friendly Meatball Sandwiches: Is It Possible?
This meatball sandwich with alfredo sauce recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as meatballs, alfredo sauce, and ciabatta buns, are reasonably priced and easily accessible. The dish provides a satisfying and hearty meal for a family of four at an approximate cost of $20. The combination of flavors and textures in this sandwich is delightful, earning it a solid 8 out of 10.
Is This Sandwich a Healthy Choice?
This meatball sandwich recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The meatballs are likely high in saturated fat and calories, especially if they contain a significant amount of ground beef.
- Alfredo sauce is notoriously rich, as it's typically made with heavy cream, butter, and cheese. This means it's high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
- Ciabatta buns, although delicious, are made from refined flour, which lacks fiber and essential nutrients.
- Additional parmesan cheese on top adds even more saturated fat and sodium to the dish.
While enjoying this sandwich occasionally is fine, regular consumption could contribute to health issues like obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for lean ground turkey or chicken to make the meatballs, which will reduce the saturated fat content.
- Prepare a homemade alfredo sauce using low-fat milk, Greek yogurt, and a moderate amount of parmesan cheese to cut down on calories and fat.
- Choose whole-grain buns to increase the fiber content and provide additional nutrients.
- Add some vegetables to the sandwich, such as sautéed spinach or roasted red peppers, to boost the nutritional value and add flavor.
- Use a smaller amount of parmesan cheese as a topping, or opt for a lower-fat alternative like a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.
Our Editor's Take on This Meatball Sandwich Recipe
This meatball sandwich with alfredo sauce is a delightful combination of hearty meatballs, creamy alfredo sauce, and crusty ciabatta buns. The meatballs are perfectly seasoned and baked to juicy perfection, while the alfredo sauce adds a rich and indulgent flavor. Serving it on ciabatta buns adds a satisfying crunch, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese ties it all together. It's a comforting and satisfying dish that is sure to please any meatball sandwich enthusiast. Buon appetito!
Enhance Your Meatball Sandwich with Alfredo Sauce with These Unique Side Dishes:
Exploring Variations on the Classic Meatball Sandwich
Appetizer and Dessert Pairings for Meatball Sandwiches
Why trust this Meatball Sandwich with Alfredo Sauce:
This recipe features high-quality homestyle meatballs and rich, creamy alfredo sauce, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal. The use of ciabatta hamburger buns adds a touch of artisanal flair, while the addition of parmesan cheese provides a delightful finishing touch. With carefully selected ingredients and simple, straightforward instructions, this recipe promises a flavorful and enjoyable experience for anyone craving a hearty meatball sandwich.
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