Last Updated on March 15, 2026 by Lisa Keys
A couple of weeks ago I shared some of the World Food Championship experience. Today I want to share one of the recipes I prepared in the competition kitchen arena. This recipe for chicken parm meatballs stuffed with fontina cheese and simmered in a homemade sauce makes an incredible sandwich.
This Blended Mushroom Meatball sandwich is a tribute to my home town of Kennett Square (AKA mushroom capital of the world) and my Italian roots. It's a bit of a twist on a chicken parm sandwich.
How to make the chicken parm meatballs
- First, caramelize finely chop cremini mushrooms.
- Then, mix mushrooms, ground chicken and Italian sausage with seasonings, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and egg.
- Form the mixture into balls stuffing cubes of fontina into the center.
- Sear the meatballs until golden brown and then finish cooking in tomato sauce.
Chicken Parm Meatballs
great Italian sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 shallot, peeled, halved
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- parmesan cheese rind
- 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, very finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus additional for sautéing meatballs
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat, ground
- 2 links Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons parmesan garlic marinade
- ½ cup day old Italian bread crumbs
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese plus ½ cup coarsely grated
- 1 egg
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped plus additional for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, plus additional for garnish
- 12 ½-inch pieces fontina cheese
- Italian seeded or plain rolls, sliced through top and opened like a boat
Instructions
- Pour tomatoes and juice into a medium saucepan. With hand, crush each tomato.
- Add shallot, butter, salt, sugar and cheese rind; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer; cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare meatballs. Brown mushrooms in olive oil until they have released their liquid; cool slightly. Gently, but thoroughly, combine mushrooms, chicken, sausage, marinade, breadcrumbs, ¼ cup finely grated parmesan, egg, pepper, basil and parsley.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out 12 leveled portions of meat mixture.
- Dampen hands with water and form each portion into a meatball pressing one piece of fontina into the center wrapping the meat around the cheese.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear meatballs to a golden brown, turning as needed. Add browned meatballs to sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Heat oven 350F. Crisp rolls on sheet pan in oven for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Prepare parmesan cheese frico. Pour a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan onto a silicone or parchment lined baking sheet and lightly pat down. Repeat with the remaining cheese, spacing the spoonfuls about a ½-inch apart. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool.
- To assemble sandwiches: fill rolls with meatballs. Sprinkle with herbs and crumbled parmesan frico.
Nutrition
Calories: 602kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 38gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 230mgSodium: 1.593mgPotassium: 842mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 879IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 173mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
laurielufkin says
What a delicious recipe and gorgeous picture of my friends!
Lisa says
the best part is the coming together of the friends....so many friends!
Martine says
Can't wait to try this! I told you my husband loves chicken thighs! Thank you for all the wonderful memories❤️
Lisa says
always a pleasure being with you and I hope you enjoy this recipe