Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef (preferably chuck)
• 1/2 cup panko or other breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
• 24 dinner rolls
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Combine the beef, breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a large bowl and knead the mixture together with your hands. Roll into heaping-tablespoon-size balls.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes; remove to a plate. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning, until browned all over, about 1 minute. (You might have to do this in 2 batches.)
3. Pour in the marinara sauce and return the onion to the skillet; gently stir. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
4. When ready to serve, split the dinner rolls and sprinkle some mozzarella on the bottom rolls. Top each with a meatball, some sauce and more mozzarella and sandwich with the top rolls.
5. Photograph by Charles Masters