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.
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 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
More Delicious Sandwiches
Best Meatball Sub Recipe
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.
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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Suzanna
These meatball subs were absolutely delicious! There’s nothing better than a homemade sub with fresh, high-quality ingredients, and I love how versatile they are for any occasion—whether it’s a casual movie night or a fun pool party. They will be a regular thing at our house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Suzanna! I am so happy that you liked themQ
Jenny
I love thesse meatball subs! They are such a special treat in our home. My mom especially loves them. Thanks for the great recipe!
Shelly
I’m always looking for quick and delicious meals that my family will love, and this one was perfect. The meatballs were flavorful and tender and the melted cheese and toasted rolls pulled it all together into the best comfort food.
Michelle M
We all love a meatball sub here so this recipe went down well with my boys. Thanks for the delicious recipe. I appreciate it.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Michelle!
Juliana
My mild child absolutely loves these meatball subs! Thank you for this great midweek meal. We loved it!
Hailey
I truly love these meatball subs. My friends loved them!
Allan
This recipe came just in time!! I was craving a meatball sandwich the other day and wondering where I could get one… This recipe was perfect! The meatballs were tender, the mozzarella was plentiful, and it was all so darn good on a toasted bun!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Allan! We love them too!
Karen
This was DELICIOUS…I never knew that I could love Italian meatball subs so much. My bakery has these amazing sub rolls. Thanks for the great recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Karen!
Yolanda
These meatball subs are great and so tasty, I love having pickles in my sub. This was delicious and so much cheaper than Subway.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Yolanda! I am so glad that you liked the subs!
Jaishree
These are a delicious treat for meatball lovers! My husband and son loved them! I’d love to try a vegetarian twist on this—maybe with lentil or mushroom-based meatballs.
Maria
Yummy! These meatball subs were so good. My husband and son devoured them! They will be on regular rotation at our house. Thanks, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Maria! I am so glad that you liked them!
Stacie
I made this the other day, and it’s so so good! Easy to make and so filling. The best part is that it didn’t affect my chronic illness in any way.
Beth Pierce
That is great! Glad to hear it!