Hearty Italian Meatball-Melt Subs

Ingredients

• 12 large frozen-cooked italian meatballs (In your grocer's freezer section)
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup fresh button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, thin strips
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thin strips
• 1/2 small yellow onion, thin rings
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup of your favorite store-bought pasta sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil (rub between fingers to waken flavor)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (rub between fingers to waken flavor)
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 crusty italian hoagie rolls, split and toasted
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)

Directions

1. 1

   On a microwave-safe plate place the meatballs. Microwave on HIGH until hot (2 to 3 minutes).

2. 2

   In a medium, heavy-bottomed skillet heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Once hot, add the mushrooms, peppers, onion and garlic; cook until vegetables are tender (6 to 7 minutes). STIR FREQUENTLY, using wooden spoon to scrape skillet from the bottom.

3. 3

   Next, add the pasta sauce, meatballs, basil, oregano, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; mix well. Cook until full heated, stirring ocassionally.

4. 4

   Remove from flame; spoon 6 meatballs and half of tomato sauce into each toasted Italian hoagie bun. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese; arrange the prepared subs on a cookie sheet and broil for 1 to 2 minutes - or until the mozarella cheese starts to bubble.

5. 5

   If desired sprinkle with red pepper flakes and serve immediately.