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**Meatball Boats: A Fun and Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish**
These **meatball boats** are the perfect marriage of juicy, tender meatballs and a playful, yet hearty, presentation. Imagine a tender meatball nestled into a savory, soft bread boat, topped with melted cheese and marinara sauce. It’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures that will make you fall in love with meatballs all over again.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make these delicious **meatball boats** that are sure to impress your family and friends. They’re easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and offer a unique twist on a beloved dish.
Meatball boats are essentially **meatball sandwiches**, but instead of using regular bread or rolls, they’re served in hollowed-out baguettes or bread loaves. The bread is scooped out to form a little “boat” to hold the meatballs and sauce. Topped with melted cheese, these **meatball boats** take the best parts of a **meatball sub** and make them even more fun to eat.
They’re perfect for lunch, dinner, or a fun appetizer for your next gathering. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also customizable—whether you prefer classic marinara and mozzarella, or you want to experiment with different toppings, meatball boats are versatile enough to accommodate your tastes.
To create your own **meatball boats**, you’ll need the following ingredients:
#### **For the Meatball Boats:**
– 4 small baguettes or French rolls (or 2 larger baguettes if you prefer a larger boat)
– 1 ½ cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or more for extra cheesiness)
– Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
#### **Step 1: Make the Meatballs**
1. **Combine Ingredients**: In a large bowl, mix together the **ground beef**, **breadcrumbs**, **Parmesan cheese**, **parsley**, **egg**, **garlic**, **oregano**, **salt**, **pepper**, and **milk**. Stir until well combined, but be careful not to overmix.
3. **Cook the Meatballs**: Heat a little bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until they’re browned on all sides and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes). If you prefer, you can bake them in a preheated oven at **375°F (190°C)** for 20-25 minutes.