These easy Italian Meatball Subs combine homemade meatballs with marinara sauce and plenty of melted mozzarella on buttered, toasted sub rolls. They are prepared quickly, perfect for busy weeknights when homework, laundry, and after-school activities take precedence.
I love to serve them topped with pickled jalapenos and onion straws, but you can customize them to suit your taste.
![Meatball subs in a casserole dish.](https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Meatball-Subs-4x5-preset-1-819x1024.webp)
I love a good sub sandwich, and these are the best. They are perfect for sleepovers, movie nights, and pool parties. They are fresher than Subway, and you can prepare them with excellent ingredients you control.
My family and friends rave about them; they love it when I fix them. I love to serve these sandwiches with Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, Cucumber Tomato Salad, or Easy Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef: it is best to use ground beef with a bit of fat in it
- Breadcrumbs: Italian, in a pinch, Panko breadcrumbs can be substituted
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated is best
- Egg: large one, please
- Seasonings: dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, fresh parsley, or basil for garnish.
- Marinara sauce: either jarred or homemade
- Sub rolls: hoagie rolls or French baguettes
- Cheese: mozzarella, provolone, or provel
How to Make Meatball Subs
This is just the summary version of the recipe. See the recipe card below for ingredients and complete instructions.
Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs and roll them into balls. Brown them over medium heat in a large skillet. Remove any excess grease. Add the marinara and simmer the meatballs for about 15 minutes.
Butter and toast the buns. Sprinkle the buns with mozzarella, add the meatballs, and sprinkle with more cheese. Place the subs under the broiler on low until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Top the sandwiches with a bit of parmesan and fresh herbs like parsley and basil.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- Use meatless pasta sauce, homemade marinara sauce, or spaghetti sauce.
- For full flavor, slather the buns with garlic butter and toast them in the oven.
- Try different cheeses like provel, fontina, or provolone cheese.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh herbs like Italian parsley, thyme, or red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Serving Suggestions
- garden salad
- minestrone
- pasta salad
- potato chips or French fries
- creamy coleslaw
- fruit salad
- potato salad
- corn chowder
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe works with both fresh and frozen meatballs. If desired, you can also make this recipe with ground turkey, ground pork, or Italian sausage.
Bake the meatballs on a baking sheet at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes if you prefer. Then, spoon the marinara sauce over the meatballs after you add them to the buns.
I like to use fresh submarine rolls or hoagie rolls, but you could also use hot dog buns. Hot dog buns hold about three meatballs, so this recipe goes further.
More Delicious Sandwiches
Best Meatball Sub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 1/2 cups finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley or fresh basil optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese, egg, oregano, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the meatballs on all sides. Drain any excess grease. Add the marinara sauce to the skillet with the meatballs and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- While the meatballs are simmering, split, butter, and toast the sub rolls under the broiler.
- Spread half of the cheese over the bottom of the rolls. Place 5 meatballs in each roll and top with the remainder of the cheese. Broil the sandwiches just until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve promptly.
Notes
- Use meatless pasta sauce, homemade marinara sauce, or spaghetti sauce.
- For full flavor, slather the buns with garlic butter and toast them in the oven.
- Try different cheeses like provel, fontina, or provolone cheese.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh herbs like Italian parsley, thyme, or red pepper flakes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Tammy
Mmm these look SO good! I could go for one of these subs right now..how delicious 😀
Claudia
I’d love a good sub sandwich too! How come I’ve never made one before? These are great.
Stephanie
I haven’t had a meatball sub in so long! We have some meatballs in the freezer, I’m going to have to add this to the menu. My boys love spaghetti and meatballs but I’m getting tired of it so this is a much better option for using the meatballs!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! I hope you and your boys enjoy the subs!
Glass Mosaic Tiles
This looks so so good!!! I can’t wait to make your recipe, I love Meatball subs, so good!!!
ShariB
Planning on making these in a few weeks for a family cookout. Sound so good and easy. Could I make the meatballs a week ahead and freeze?
Beth Pierce
Yes you most certainly can. Enjoy!!
Anthony cowan
Just made these fantastic subs family loves them
Will be making again!!!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Anthony! So glad that they like them! Such a great choice this time of year!
Tj
What size do you make the meatballs ??
Beth Pierce
1 inch meatballs
Sharon
I ended up with 35 one inch meatballs; i measured. Not a bad thing but wonder what I missed.
Anna
Can you bake these meatballs in the oven? If so what is your suggestion on temp and length of time? Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
400 degrees for about 20 minutes
Jen
We make these almost every other weekend. They’re so good and everyone loves them. Thanks for such an easy recipe.
Jessica Burgess
My husband absolutely LOVES meatball subs but I hadn’t made them before so I searched and found this one! I’m SOOOO glad that I did because they were amazing!
stephanie
Big hit at my house! Definitely making this again.
Jacqueline Meldrum
Meatball Subs are always fun to eat. It’s always interesting to see how other people serve them.
Amy
Meatball subs are one of the best things ever, love this version!
Bintu
These meatball subs were so delicious and so simple to make! I can see them becoming a lunchtime staple in our house!
Claudia Lamascolo
This recipe was super simple with your step by step instructions and the subs were devoured quickly!
Lima Ekram
Awesome recipe – I really enjoyed it!