Chickpea "Meatball" Subs

Course: Entrees
Difficulty: Easy
Pulse Type: Chickpeas
Specialty Diet: Vegetarian
Occasion: Earth Friendly, Father's Day, Healthy Comfort Foods, Sandwiches and Wraps
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion white; diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 15 oz cans chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs plain; gluten-free, if desired
  • 1 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp parsley fresh
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes crushed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper black
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 6 buns hoagies or buns of choice
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup cheese thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp basil fresh; sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Set a medium pan over medium-high heat with the oil. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Pour the chickpeas into a food processor and pulse until they're chopped down into coarse crumbs. Add the sautéed onions and garlic, bread crumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and parmesan and pulse until the mixture comes together like a dough. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Continue rolling until all the mixture is used. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping over halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
  4. To assemble the sandwiches, make a slit in each roll and spoon a bit of warmed marinara into each. Place a few chickpea balls into each and top with more marinara. Top with a slice of mozzarella and transfer the sandwiches onto a baking sheet. Place under a broiler set on low until the cheese has melted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy!