Cast-Iron Cheesy Meatball Subs Kids Can Roll Themselves
Mix beef, breadcrumbs, egg and Parmesan, let the kids roll 18 meatballs, then brown them in a 12-inch skillet over medium coals for about 10 minutes. Add marinara, cover, and simmer 12 minutes until the meatballs hit 160°F. Top with mozzarella, melt it under a lid, and pile into butter-toasted rolls. Total time is about 50 minutes.
Rolling meatballs is a job kids actually want. Give each one a lump of meat and a small mission, and dinner is half built before the fire is ready. The meatballs are soft, the sauce is mild, and the cheese stretches. That's what a kid-friendly sub should do.
Everything cooks in one skillet, and the rolls toast on the grate while the cheese melts. Keep the raw beef cold, set up a hand-washing station before anyone touches it, and check the temperature before you serve. Then it's a good, messy dinner.
Cast-Iron Cheesy Meatball Subs Kids Can Roll Themselves
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Heat
- Medium coals or medium flame
- Pack weight
- 5 lb
- Campfire
- Camp stove
- Backpacking
- Cooler required
- One burner
- Some water
- A few dishes
- Prep ahead
Ingredients
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Gear you'll need
- 12-inch cast-iron skillet with lid or heavy foil
- large mixing bowl
- tongs
- instant-read thermometer
- clean tray or plate for raw meatballs
- grate or griddle for toasting rolls
- wash jug, soap and bucket
Steps
-
Set up hand washing
Fill a jug with warm water and set it beside a bucket, soap and paper towels before anyone touches the meat. Raw beef means everyone washes up after rolling.
-
Mix the meatballs
Stir the breadcrumbs and milk together in a large bowl for 2 minutes. Add the egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and salt, then add the beef and mix gently with your hands until just combined.
-
Roll with the kids
Roll the meat into 18 balls, about 1 1/2 inches wide, and set them on a clean plate or tray. Wash hands with soap and water right away, and keep the tray off the picnic table's food area.
-
Brown the meatballs
Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium coals or medium flame. Add the meatballs and cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning every couple of minutes, until browned on most sides.
-
Simmer in sauce
Pour in the marinara and stir gently. Cover with a lid or tight foil and simmer 10 to 12 minutes over lower heat. Check that a meatball reads 160°F in the center.
-
Melt the cheese
Scatter the mozzarella over the meatballs and cover again for 3 minutes, until melted. Move the skillet to the edge of the fire to keep it warm.
-
Toast the rolls
Mash the butter with 1/4 tsp garlic powder and spread it on the cut sides of the rolls. Set them cut side down on a clean grate or griddle for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden.
-
Build and serve
Tuck three meatballs into each roll and spoon on extra sauce and cheese. Serve hot, with plenty of napkins.
Trail Notes
Roll the meatballs at home, freeze them flat on a tray, then bag them. Pack them frozen in the cooler, thaw there for a day, and cook within 2 days of thawing.
Keep raw beef at 40°F or below until you mix it. Don't leave the meatballs sitting out on the table while the fire comes to temp, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Use ground turkey or chicken and cook to 165°F instead of 160°F. Or use a sliced mild provolone in place of the mozzarella.
Strain dishwater through a bandana or mesh and pack out the food scraps. Scatter the strained water well away from camp and water sources, and pack out any leftover sauce.
Campers ask
How do you know when camp meatballs are done?
Ground beef meatballs are safe at 160°F in the center. Check one of the biggest with an instant-read thermometer after simmering.
Can I make meatballs without breadcrumbs at camp?
Yes. Crushed crackers, crushed cornflakes or quick oats work in the same amount. They hold in the moisture and keep the meatballs soft.
What do you cook meatball subs in over a campfire?
A 12-inch cast-iron skillet with a lid works well. It browns the meatballs, holds the sauce, and melts the cheese when covered.
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