Cheesy Meatball Subs (Printable)
Toasted rolls filled with saucy beef meatballs and melted mozzarella for a warm, comforting Italian-American sandwich.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Tomato Sauce
10 - 2 cups marinara sauce
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
→ Assembly
15 - 4 sub rolls (about 8 inches each)
16 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 2 tbsp softened butter (optional, for toasting rolls)
18 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Position the oven rack so the broiler can reach the tops of the subs later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly incorporated without overworking the meat. Shape into 12 uniform meatballs.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides, turning carefully, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour the marinara sauce and dried basil into the skillet, stirring to combine with the onion mixture. Bring to a gentle simmer, then return the browned meatballs to the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through.
06 - Slice each sub roll open lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Optionally brush the cut sides with softened butter. Place rolls cut-side up on a baking sheet and toast under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until golden.
07 - Place 3 meatballs inside each toasted sub roll and spoon sauce generously over the top. Evenly distribute the shredded mozzarella cheese over each sub.
08 - Place the assembled subs on the baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the mozzarella is fully melted and bubbly with golden spots.
09 - Top each sub with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The meatballs stay incredibly juicy because they simmer directly in the sauce, soaking up all that tomato goodness while staying tender inside.
- Everything comes together on one baking sheet at the end, which means cleanup is almost nonexistent and you get that irresistible broiled cheese pull every single time.
02 -
- Do not skip the browning step for the meatballs. That caramelized crust is where deep flavor develops, and without it the meatballs taste flat even after simmering.
- Toasting the rolls before adding the filling creates a waterproof layer that keeps the bread from turning into a soggy mess before you even take the first bite.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly with cold water before rolling the meatballs and the mixture will not stick to your palms, giving you smoother more even shapes.
- Let the assembled subs rest for one minute after broiling before serving so the cheese sets slightly and everything holds together better when you pick it up.