1  1-pound package frozen Italian-style cooked meatballs (16 to 32 meatballs)

1  8-ounce can pizza sauce or 1 cup bottled pasta sauce

1/2  cup water

4  ciabatta rolls or hoagie buns

4  slices provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)

8  large fresh basil or spinach leaves (optional)

 

Preheat the broiler. In a large saucepan combine meatballs, pizza sauce, and water. Heat until sauce bubbles. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.  Meanwhile, cut a thin slice from the tops of rolls; hollow out roll leaving a 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick shell. (Discard or save bread from rolls for another use.) Place hollowed-out rolls and roll tops, cut sides up, on a baking sheet. Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove roll tops from baking sheet.  Spoon meatballs and sauce into toasted rolls. Top with cheese. Broil about 1 minute more or until cheese melts. To serve, place basil or spinach leaves on top of cheese and replace roll tops.