This Meatball Sub Recipe features tender homemade meatballs simmered in marinara, loaded into a toasted bun, and topped with melty Italian cheese.
Authorโs note
The Meatball Sub Iโll Never Stop Craving!
Growing up, if my mom chose where the family was eating, it was always Subway. And for me, there was no experimenting, I always got the meatball sub.
Not much has changed. If thereโs a meatball sub on the menu, Iโm interested. After making so many delicious meatball recipes like turkey and chicken meatballs, I knew it was time to try them in sub form. They didnโt disappoint.
These subs are packed with flavor and make the perfect weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
| Ingredient Group | Tip |
|---|---|
| Onion, Garlic & Herbs | Grate or mince very fine and chop herbs small so everything mixes evenly |
| Milk & Panko | Let the breadcrumbs soak in the milk for a few minutes before mixing |
| Parm Cheese | Use a small grater so it blends smoothly |
| Egg | Beat lightly before adding |
| Ground Beef | Donโt overmix to keep the meatballs soft |
| Olive Oil | Use for browning meatballs and brushing rolls |
| Marinara Sauce | Use a good-quality jarred sauce or homemade |
| Sub Rolls | Lightly toast to prevent sogginess |
| Provolone or Italian Cheese Blend | Melts on top for a creamy finish |
How To Make Meatball Sub Recipe
- Mix Ingredients: Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Make them the same size to cook evenly.
- Sear Meatballs: Donโt overcrowd the pan to ensure even browning.
- Simmer in Marinara: Stir gently to avoid breaking the meatballs.
- Toast Rolls: Toasting keeps the bread from getting soggy.
- Assemble Subs: Add extra sauce for a juicier sandwich.
- Melt the Cheese: Watch closely to prevent burning. Pair these subs with an Italian salad, fruit salad, or this cucumber salad.
Featured Comment
โAmazing and easy I have very picky eaters and they loved it!โ
โ Ashley
Quick Tip
Same Size Meatballs: Make all the meatballs the same size to cook evenly and handle them gently.
Storage
Meatball Sub Recipe Leftovers?
- Keep Ingredients Separate: Store the meatballs and sauce in one container and the bread in another so the bread doesnโt get soggy.
- Reheat Wrapped Subs: If the subs are already made, wrap them in foil and heat in the oven at 375ยฐF for 20 mins to stop the bread from getting too crispy.
More Easy Dinner Ideas:
Meatball Sub Recipe
This Meatball Sub Recipe packs juicy homemade meatballs simmered in marinara, stuffed in a toasted bun, and topped with melty Italian cheese. So delicious!
Equipment
- Large pan nonstick
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup yellow onion grated on a cheese grater
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated (on a zester if possible)
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced (on a zester if possible)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided, plus more for brushing on the rolls
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 6 crusty sub rolls
- 1-1/2 cups shredded Provolone cheese or Italian 4-cheese blend; or to taste, add as much cheese as youโd like
- Shredded basil optional
Instructionsย
- Using the large holes on a cheese grater, finely grate the onion. Add to a large bowl along with milk, panko, Parmesan, ground beef, minced garlic, dried oregano, fresh parsley, egg, and salt and pepper to taste (I add about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper). Mix until ingredients are combined. Add ground beef and fold with your hands until combined. Handle as little as possible and donโt overwork the mixture or the meatballs will be tough.
- Measure out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and gently form a ball. Repeat with all the meat mixture. You should get around 22โ25 meatballs. Make sure they are all about the same size so theyโll cook evenly.
- In a large, nonstick pan, add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat to medium high, then add in about half the meatballs. Gently turn the meatballs over and cook for about 3โ5 minutes or until they are browned all over (but not cooked through). Remove to a plate. Add another 1 and 1/2 tablespoons oil and repeat with the rest of the meatballs. Remove all meatballs to the plate.
- In the same pan, add the entire jar of marinara sauce. Return the cooked meatballs to the pan and stir to cover them with the sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer for 8โ12 minutes, turning every now and again, or until completely cooked through (food thermometer registers 165ยฐF).
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Cut the rolls in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil. Place on a large tray and bake for 3โ5 minutes or until lightly toasted.
- Remove subs from the oven and set the oven temperature to high broil. Pile meatballs and sauce onto sub rolls, 3โ4 meatballs per sandwich. Top with shredded cheese and place under the broiler to melt cheese (watch carefullyโit only takes 1โ2 minutes). Top with shredded basil and enjoy hot.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Keep meatballs and sauce separate from the bread to avoid sogginess. To reheat, if already assembled, wrap in foil and reheat in the oven at 375ยฐF for 20 minutes to prevent further toasting.
Nutrition
Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 773mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 364mg | Iron: 13mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amazing and easy I have very picky eaters and they loved it
So glad to hear that! ๐
I made these for supper yesterday. They were excellent. My son said he didnt even like meatballs but loved these. Left with some for his supper tonight. Your shrimp tacos are also excellent. Look forward to trying more of your recipes!!
So thrilled to hear these were a hit and glad you enjoyed the shrimp tacos ๐ Thanks for the comment and review!
This looks delicious and super easy! Canโt wait to try this soon.
Yay!! Canโt wait for you to try it! ๐
These are excellent! Thank you for sharing this recipe! I want to make these and freeze them to have one hand once my second baby comes in a few weeks, but Iโm trying to figure out if I should freeze them prior to cooking them in the sauce or just freeze them after that?
Thanks so much Emily, glad you enjoyed them! ๐ I havenโt personally frozen these meatballs, but I think these steps should help! https://www.wikihow.com/Freeze-Meatballs good luck and CONGRATS on the second! ๐
Perfect dinner idea!
Thank you!
This is always a hit!
So happy to hear it! ๐
What a great idea for dinner! Havenโt made these for my family before; they will love this! Delish!
These subs are life!
Oh my, these meatball subs incredible!! A must try!
great summer recipe, thank you and love Raoโs marinara sauce already,
Isnโt it the best?! Thanks!