Homemade Meatball Subs are a classic comfort meal — juicy, flavorful meatballs nestled in soft rolls and topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or game-day sandwiches, these subs are easy to make and endlessly satisfying.
⏱ Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 4
🍳 Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Skillet or oven-safe pan
- Baking sheet
- Spoon or spatula
- Knife & cutting board
🥘 Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Assembly
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
- Optional: fresh basil for garnish
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Meat: Beef and pork mixture adds flavor and tenderness.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meatballs; panko gives extra light texture.
- Cheese: Use your favorite melting cheese for gooey, flavorful topping.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Form mixture into 12–16 meatballs (about 1½ inches each).
2. Cook meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake 15–20 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Optional: Simmer baked meatballs in marinara sauce for 5 minutes for extra flavor.
3. Assemble subs
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice sub rolls horizontally, leaving one side intact.
- Place 3–4 meatballs per roll. Spoon marinara sauce over meatballs.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
4. Melt cheese
Bake assembled subs 5–7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
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5. Serve
Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately.
📊 Nutrition (Approx per serving)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fat: 28g
⭐ Tips & Variations
- Extra cheesy: Add provolone slices under shredded cheese for extra melt.
- Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes to marinara or meatball mixture.
- Make ahead: Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance; assemble subs just before serving.
- Bread options: Use hoagie rolls, baguette, or slider buns for different serving sizes.
- Toppings: Add sautéed onions, bell peppers, or pickled jalapeños.
