Cheesy Meatball Subs (Printable)
Tender meatballs in marinara with melted cheese on toasted rolls
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/4 cup milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Sauce
11 - 2 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
12 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Assembly
13 - 4 sub rolls, approximately 6 inches each
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Shape the mixture into 12 equal meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
04 - While the meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Transfer the cooked meatballs into the simmering sauce, turning to coat evenly. Let them simmer gently for 5–7 minutes.
06 - Mix melted butter with the finely grated garlic. Slice the sub rolls lengthwise, brush the insides generously with garlic butter, and toast on a baking tray for 3–4 minutes until golden.
07 - Place 3 saucy meatballs inside each toasted roll. Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Return the assembled subs to the oven for 3–4 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Top with fresh basil or chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of homemade meatballs and melted mozzarella creates a sandwich that ruins you for any deli version.
- Everything comes together in under an hour, which feels almost dishonest for something this satisfying.
02 -
- Overmixing the meatball mixture turns them dense and tough, so stop as soon as everything is evenly combined.
- Letting the meatballs simmer in the sauce rather than just spooning it on top is the step that transforms this from good to unforgettable.
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop to portion the meatball mixture so they are all the same size and cook evenly.
- Broiling the assembled subs for the last minute instead of baking gives you those irresistible golden brown cheese edges.