Garlic Parmesan Turkey Subs (Printable Version)

Turkey meatballs in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce with melted mozzarella on toasted subs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk
14 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
16 - Salt to taste

→ Assembly

17 - 4 soft sub rolls, 6 inches each
18 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
19 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined without overworking.
02 - Shape mixture into 16 meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
03 - While meatballs bake, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk while bringing to a simmer, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Stir in Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and salt to taste. Cook until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth. Transfer baked meatballs to the sauce and gently toss to coat evenly.
05 - Preheat oven broiler. Split sub rolls and spread softened butter on the insides. Place on a baking sheet with buttered sides facing up. Broil for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted.
06 - Arrange 4 meatballs with sauce in each toasted roll. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and broil for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
07 - Remove from broiler and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Turkey keeps these meatballs lean and tender without sacrificing that juicy, flavorful bite you crave.
  • The garlic Parmesan cream sauce is so silky and addictive that you'll find yourself scraping the pan.
  • Broiled mozzarella on top creates this irresistible melted crust that makes every bite feel indulgent.
02 -
  • Don't skip gently mixing the meatball mixture, as overworking it releases too much gluten from the breadcrumbs and makes them tough and rubbery.
  • Add your milk to the roux slowly while whisking, because dumping it all in at once creates lumps that are nearly impossible to smooth out later.
03 -
  • If you want a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the cream sauce, which gives it a subtle warmth without making it spicy.
  • Leftover meatballs with sauce freeze beautifully for up to three months, so you can reheat them and make fresh subs whenever the craving hits.
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