Description
Italian Meatball Subs are a hearty, comforting sandwich made with juicy baked meatballs simmered in marinara sauce, nestled inside toasted sub rolls, and topped with melted mozzarella or provolone cheese. This classic Italian-American recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, game day meal, or casual family gathering, offering a delicious combination of savory flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Subs
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 sub rolls or hoagie rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Olive oil, for brushing rolls (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and arrange them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes until they are cooked through and browned on the outside.
- Simmer in Sauce: While meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once the meatballs are done, add them to the sauce and gently simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavor and heat through.
- Prepare Rolls: Slice the sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through, and optionally, brush the insides lightly with olive oil for extra flavor and to prevent sogginess.
- Assemble Subs: Spoon the meatballs and marinara sauce generously into each sub roll, then evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese on top of the meatballs.
- Melt Cheese: Place the assembled subs on a baking sheet and return them to the oven for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove the subs from the oven and serve hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For convenience, you can use store-bought frozen meatballs to save preparation time.
- Lightly toasting the rolls before filling helps prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Add fresh basil or parsley as a garnish for an extra burst of flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
