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Lean Meatball Subs

Lean Ground Beef is formed into meatballs before a quick cook in the oven and a dip in pasta sauce. Enjoy the classic meatballs in a crusty Italian roll for a family-friendly meal!

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
  • 1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
  • 2 egg whites or 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups heart healthy or regular pasta sauce
  • 4 crusty Italian bread rolls (5 to 6-inches each), split
  • 4 tablespoons giardiniera, drained (optional)

Cooking:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine Ground Beef, bread crumbs, egg whites, water, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into twelve 2-inch meatballs. Place on rack in broiler pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in 400°F oven 18 to 20 minutes.
    2. Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
  2. Heat pasta sauce according to package directions in medium saucepan. Add hot cooked meatballs to pasta sauce; stir to coat evenly. Divide meatballs and sauce evenly among rolls. Top evenly with giardinera.
    3. Cook's Tip: Giardiniera is a mixture of vegetables, traditionally peppers, carrots, celery and onions, pickled in a white or red vinegar and oil mixture. It is sold in mild or hot varieties.

Nutrition Information

The Essential Ingredients

Safe Handling Tips

FAQs

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!