Italian Meatball Subs

Finally, a meatball sub you can sink your teeth into without wrecking your diet! This scrumptious Italian classic uses lean ground beef to cut the fat content, and a plethora of herbs adds loads of flavor into each meatball.

Ingredients:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 3 teaspoons finely chopped garlic, divided
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian-style crushed tomatoes, undrained
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 ½ teaspoons dried basil, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, divided
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper, divided
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ pound 95% lean ground beef
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard
• 4 French bread rolls, warmed and cut in half lengthwise

Directions:

1. Spray large nonstick saucepan with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add onion and 2 teaspoons garlic. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add tomatoes with juice, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons basil, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and red pepper flakes; cover. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves.
2. Combine beef, green onions, bread crumbs, parsley, egg white, water, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, marjoram and mustard in medium bowl until well blended. Shape into 16 small meatballs.
3. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add meatballs. Cook 5 minutes or until meatballs are no longer pink in centers, turning occasionally.
4. Add meatballs to tomato sauce. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Place 4 meatballs in each roll. Spoon additional sauce over meatballs. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition per Serving:

(Serving size = 1 sub with 4 meatballs)

• Calories = 282
• Total fat = 9 g
• Saturated fat = 3 g
• Carbohydrate = 32 g
• Protein = 18 g
• Fiber = 1 g
• Cholesterol = 35 mg
• Sodium = 497 mg

Dietary Exchanges:

• Meat = 2
• Starch = 2
• Vegetable = 1

Source: www.diabeticcooking.com