Meatball Smasher Texas Toast Sandwich Recipe

I always dreamed that my next-door neighbors were an Italian family, and the enticing aroma of their cooking would drift through my window, leaving me wondering, “I hope they invite me over!”

Well, the Mangia Mia food truck brought that same comforting, authentic Italian-American flavor courtesy of Patrick and Kim Murdock. With their signature “smasher” meatball subs, fresh pasta, and arancini, this family-run food truck won over Miami with the welcoming vibe of a neighborhood kitchen.

Patrick, a Long Island firefighter, and Kim, a proud Italian from New Jersey, dreamed of opening a restaurant but found a food truck to be the easier start. In 2011, just as South Florida‘s food truck scene was heating up, Mangia Mia hit the streets of South Florida.

They became known for their The Smasher, a mouthwatering meatball sandwich on toasted garlic bread. Mangia Mia‘s popularity led to a feature on Season 4 of the Food Network‘s Eat St., cementing its place in Miami‘s food truck scene. It was filmed at the legendary Tuesday night food truck event, BTTR.

Mangia Mia’s The Smasher Recipe

Though Patrick has since passed, Mangia Mia‘s legacy lives on. I’ve reprinted the Smasher recipe, allowing you to relive the flavors of their delicious kitchen. Here’s your chance to recreate this beauty!

Marina Sauce Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 6 ounces tomato paste (no-salt-added)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
• 1 cup water
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 bay leaf

Marina Sauce Directions

1. Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Pour the oil into the pan and swirl to coat the bottom.
3. Cook the onion and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion is soft, stirring occasionally.
4. Whisk in tomato paste, parsley, sugar, Italian seasoning, basil, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
5. Reduce heat to med-low and cook for 4 minutes, stirring often.
6. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients.
7. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
8. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Meatball Ingredients

• 2.5 ounces Italian breadcrumbs
• 7 cloves garlic, ground
• 2/3 cup fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper, ground
• 1 egg
• 1 ounce Ketchup
• 1.5 pounds fresh ground beef (88/12)

Meatball Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the ground beef.
• Mix well, then add ground beef and mix again thoroughly.
• Roll out the mixture into 20 equal meatballs.
• Cook in the oven for 30 minutes.

Smasher Ingredients

Makes approximately 4 servings

• 1 large loaf garlic bread
• Marinara Sauce (above)
• 5 cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
• 20 Meatballs (above)
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated

Making the Smasher

• Divide garlic bread into sandwich portions.
• Toast one side of each half on the grill.
• Spread a layer of marinara sauce on the toasted side of the bread, and then add ¼ of a cup of Mozzarella cheese on top.
• Take two meatballs and smash them with a large spatula.
• Place them on top of the Mozzarella cheese.
• Add more marinara sauce on top of the meatball and another ¼ cup of Mozzarella cheese.
• Place the sandwich back on the grill and toast the un-toasted sides of the bread.
• Remove from grill, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top and serve.