Meatball Subs

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.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.

• Ground beef: Use ground beef with a bit of fat in it. Fat gives it flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Italian, in a pinch, Panko breadcrumbs can be substituted
• Parmesan cheese: freshly grated is best
• Seasonings: dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and 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 cheese and fresh herbs like parsley and basil.

Preparation Tips

• 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.

Serving Suggestions For Meatball Subs

Besides potato chips or French fries, try:

• Salad: garden salad, red potato salad, fruit salad, and creamy coleslaw
• Soup: minestrone, corn chowder, or creamy ham and potato soup
• Pasta salad: Italian pasta salad, BLT pasta salad, and caprese pasta salad

More Sandwich Recipes

Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Club Sandwich

Italian Beef Sandwiches

Hot Brown

Chili Dogs

Reuben Sandwich

Meatball Sub Recipe

An easy, family-friendly meatball sub recipe made with fresh meatballs, marinara, mozzarella, and Italian spices, all baked to melted perfection and served warm.  They are ideal for movie nights, sleepovers, game day, and pool parties.

4.98 from 89 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: main meal beef

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 705kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup Italian bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
• 4 sub rolls
• 1½ 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.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power. 

Nutrition

Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 1619mg | Potassium: 780mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1019IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 326mg | Iron: 16mg

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