Shelly's Recipe

ITALIAN SLOPPY JOES

Category: Sandwiches

1/4 cup olive oil
1medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, minced
2 carrots, peeled and minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp. Kosher salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
1/4 cup good red wine
1-2 T. butter– Trust me on this one!

4 hoagie rolls
3-4 cups Bolognese sauce, depending on size of rolls
2 cups Mozzarella cheese

In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. When oil is heated and almost smoking, add onions, celery, and carrots and cook until onions are golden and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and saute one minute. Add ground beef and cook until beef is no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until cooked through and thickened. Add cheese, wine and butter and stir until butter is melted and cheese is blended. Re-season with salt and pepper if necessary.

Heat oven to 400. Slice hoagie rolls open making the bottom halves thicker. Dig a bit of the inside of the bottom half of the roll out if you want and place bottoms of hoagie rolls on a baking sheet. Spread each roll with a generous helping of sauce, Divide cheese evenly over the meat and replace bread tops. Place in oven and bake for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. Serve immediately with lots of napkins and cherry, pepperoncini, or mild banana peppers. Serves 4.