50-Year-Old Iowa State Fair Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe
Introduction
This hearty sandwich recipe has been a family favorite for over 50 years, inspired by the Iowa State Fair. Combining savory Italian sausage, ground beef, and a flavorful homemade sauce, it’s perfect for a comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 4 hoagie rolls
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground hot Italian pork sausage
- 8 ounce jar pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the ground beef and Italian pork sausage together in a pan over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix the minced onion, chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into the pizza sauce. Pour this mixture into the pan with the browned meats.
- Step 3: Simmer the meat and sauce mixture over medium to low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly to blend the flavors.
- Step 4: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Split the hoagie rolls open, then layer each with the meat and sauce mixture followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese. Wrap each sandwich individually in foil.
- Step 5: Bake the wrapped sandwiches in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are warm. Serve hot with optional banana pepper rings for added zest.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder flavor, substitute the hot Italian sausage with sweet Italian sausage or increase the amount of mozzarella cheese.
- Adding fresh garlic along with the onion can enhance the sauce’s depth.
- Try topping with sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms for extra texture.
- Use whole wheat hoagie rolls for a healthier option.
Storage
Store any leftover sandwiches wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, unwrap the foil and warm the sandwiches in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving to keep the rolls from becoming soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes. You can replace the ground beef and Italian sausage with plant-based meat substitutes or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and lentils for a vegetarian-friendly version.
What can I use if I don’t have hoagie rolls?
Italian sandwich rolls, French baguette cut to size, or even sub rolls will work well as alternatives to hoagie rolls for this recipe.
Print50-Year-Old Iowa State Fair Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe
This classic 50-year-old Iowa State Fair recipe features hearty hoagie rolls filled with a flavorful combination of ground beef, spicy Italian sausage, and a seasoned pizza sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, these sandwiches are a nostalgic family favorite that delivers a comforting and savory meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Sandwich Ingredients
- 4 hoagie rolls
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground hot Italian pork sausage
- 8 ounce jar pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Brown the meats: In a pan over medium-high heat, brown together the ground beef and hot Italian pork sausage until they are no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to keep the mixture from being too oily.
- Prepare the sauce mixture: In a bowl, mix the minced onion, chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into the jar of pizza sauce. Then add this seasoned sauce into the pan with the browned meats, stirring to combine evenly.
- Simmer the sauce and meat: Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the meat and sauce mixture for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring regularly to meld the flavors together and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Prepare hoagie rolls: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Split each hoagie roll open to create a base for the filling.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Layer the warm meat and sauce mixture evenly inside each split hoagie roll. Top each sandwich generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the sandwiches: Wrap each assembled sandwich individually in aluminum foil to keep them moist during baking. Place the wrapped sandwiches in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and unwrap carefully. Serve hot, optionally topped with banana pepper rings for an added tangy kick.
Notes
- Drain the grease after browning the meat to avoid a greasy sandwich.
- Simmering the meat in the sauce develops deeper flavor and ensures the sauce thickens slightly.
- Wrapping sandwiches in foil before baking helps melt the cheese evenly and keeps the hoagie rolls soft.
- Banana pepper rings make a great optional topping for added zest and crunch.
- For a milder version, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and use sweet Italian sausage instead of hot.
Keywords: Iowa State Fair, hoagie sandwiches, Italian sausage sandwich, baked sandwiches, mozzarella, ground beef, pizza sauce
