Do you have any recipes that bring back memories from your childhood? That’s exactly what these Barbecue Meatball Subs do for me.
When I was young my sister and I would come up to Colorado for a week or so during the summer and visit our grandparents. Our grandparents always made a point of planning special things for us to do while we were visiting. I remember trips where they took up to the top of Pike’s Peak in the Cog Railway, hiking on top of Mt. Evans, on a train to Wyoming, to the Olympic Training Center and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, tours of Hammond’s Candy, McDonalds (yes, I’ve seen the kitchen of a McDonalds, we’ll leave it at that), camping in the mountains, and picnics at a park called Inspiration Point near their house. I feel so fortunate that I was able to spend so much time with them and that they put the effort in to giving my sister and I so many unique and special experiences. Coming up to Colorado during the summer was so nice since we grew up in Arizona. Getting out of those 110 degree temperatures was such a relief. I loved having barbecues in the evening when we would sit out in the backyard with the cool breeze surrounded by my Grandma’s beautiful garden and fruit trees. Aside from her Macaroni and Cheese, these Barbecue Meatball Subs were one of my favorite meals she made for us.
I loved that she took the time to not only make the meatballs but the sauce as well. We ate the saucy moist meatballs on a toasted sub roll or bun. Sometimes we would add a slice of cheese and sometimes not, either way the subs were delicious! There is something about barbecue sauce, meat, and summer that all go together so well.
For the most part I kept this recipe just as she made it, with the exception of I used lean ground turkey to make my meatballs and she always used lean ground beef. She also used saltine crackers in hers and I used panko breadcrumbs. I also cut back slightly on the amount of ketchup in the sauce and found that it was still sweet enough and made just the right amount of sauce to cover all the meatballs without having them swimming in it. I chose to add some thin slices of provolone on top of our subs and put them under the broiler just until the cheese is browned and bubbly. Just a tip, if you put them under the broiler watch them like a hawk! Lets just say that I burned the top of the rolls on my husband’s subs, poor guy had to have open faced subs. However, that didn’t keep him from snarfing them down in a matter of minutes! The next time you have friends or family over for a barbecue or picnic try making these Barbecue Meatball Subs. Paired with warm weather, sunshine, and the cool breeze, they make the perfect outdoor summer meal!
OMG Looking absolutely scrumptious.I want it in my belly nowwww *sob*
Thank you!! :-)
Hi,
I’m collecting some of my favourtie recipes (don’t cook as much as I want to) and I was hoping if you could tell me what the “T.” was for the measurements. Is it teaspoon or tablespoon? Brit here!
Thanks for stopping by Lana! The T. Stands for tablespoon and the little t. Is teaspoon.
I love who food can always bring back memories…I have so many that do that! I would have to say my Grandma’s marble cake. These subs looks so good! So juicy and so much sauce!
Thanks Jessica! Your Grandma’s marble cake sounds wonderful, I hope there is a recipe on your blog or soon to be on your blog for it!
Danae, these look fabulous! I love meatballs, especially on subs. Such a sweet memory about spending your summers with your grandparents. My girls usually will go visit my parents for a week during the summer too, they always have so much fun! Grandparents are the best!
Thanks Serene! Grandparents really are the best, some of my favorite memories are times that were spent with them.
Now that’s what I call sub, looks amazing!
Thanks Mike! It’s a favorite around here!
That sauce sounds freaking awesome! :) These subs look wonderful!
Thanks! The sauce is the best, sometimes I like to just have a big spoonful of it!
omg, yes! I also saw the recipe on foodgawker! already in my favorite book!
Thanks Julia, I’m honored that it made it to your favorite book!
I am always amazed at the “power of food” it can bring back memories, it can make you feel like those not with you are near, it can comfort. I love this! And the meatball subs look fantastic, my husband would have a fit for these!
Thanks Annie. You are totally right about the power of food and bringing back memories, I feel so close to both my Grandmas whenever I cook or bake one of their recipes.
OMG this looks sooo amazing… :)
Thank you! :-)
I love food that brings back fond childhood memories! These subs look absolutely amazing. I always loved meatball sandos and BBQ sauce is the bomb!
Thanks Julia! BBQ sauce is totally the bomb, and who doesn’t love a good meatball?!
These are makin’ me hungry! It’s so nice to have those foods the bring back good memories of your childhood.
Haha! Isn’t that the biggest problem with food blogging, looking at pictures of delicious food all day?! I’m always hungry!
My grandma’s meatballs bring back so many memories for me! Her’s are very classic type meatballs and boy are they good. These barbecue subs looks awesome – I know these would be a hit at our house!
Thanks Ashley! Grandma’s food is always the best, I love making her old recipes!
Great minds think alike today, Danae. Love these!
Thanks Matt, we must have been channeling meatball wavelengths!