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.
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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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Clarice
Wow! These were delicious and easy to make. Thank you for sharing the recipe. My family wants me to make them again soon.
Brian
I like how you mentioned that your version is fresher than Subway. Have a Happy New Year!
Beth Pierce
Happy New Year to you as well.
Nayna Kanabar
A really vesatile recipe that is perfect to make for sharing when you are having agames or movie night.
Whitney Stewart
This sandwich is making me hungry! Good thing it already time for lunch! I’ll definitely keep this in the archives for when I have a spontaneous craving for a gourmet sandwich of this caliber. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Yeah Lifestyle
These meatball subs were absolutely delicious. The kids just love them and they want me to make them again soon. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Sienny
Ohh my…while reading this, making me crave hungry as I’m a meatball lover. I saved this for my next weekend to do.
Glass Mosaic Tiles
oh my!!! I need to taste this amazing sandwich…I can’t to make it, thank you so so much….
Tammy
How absolutely delicious and flavorful! This was so good. It’s a fun sandwich to make for the family.
Kristin
I’ve made these twice and they came out delicious both times! Husband loves them, too! Well written recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kristin! So glad that you and your husband like the meatball subs!
Ntensibe Edgar
It has been ages since I last had meatballs and these look delicious. I am going to make this. Thanks for sharing its recipe.
briannemanzb
This is honestly the best meatball sub recipe I’ve ever made for my family. Everyone loved it and gave it a 10 out of 10 rating 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks Brianne! That is awesome. I am so glad that the whole family loved them!
Marysa
I never thought to make meatball subs before. What an easy idea for a hearty meal!
Bryan
Meatball subs are the style I most commonly order when I order take out. But they are fairly easy to make at home, not to mention much better tasting!
Beth Pierce
So true!
Luna S
Yum! This post is making me hungry. This is a favorite in our house, I may have to add this to the menu for this week 🙂 Thanks for sharing this.
Stephanie
I’m glad this works with frozen meatballs because I am going to make this for lunch today! It’s a great way to use those meatballs for something other than just to go with spaghetii.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! Enjoy!!
Jupiter Hadley
Our middle child loves meatballs and loves bread! This is such a good midweek meal idea!