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
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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Mandy
Poorly written recipe. How man meat balls am I supposed to make? Approximately how long do I need to cook these?
Beth Pierce
All of it is in the recipe. I don’t think you are scrolling down to the full recipe. It is down at the bottom of the post or there is a jump to recipe at the top of every post.
Elena
Most likely poorly read. Recipe is spot on.
Ariel
Back to make this for a 2nd time in 2 weeks….just wonderful!! My family loves these!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Ariel! So glad that you like them!
Cathy
These are on my dinner menu for tonight!!!
Suzy
Loved the homemade meatballs! You could use them for just about anything! So tasty in the sub!
Beti
We enjoyed these meatball subs so much!! I am definitely making these again!! Amazing!
katerina
Oh my, these meatball subs look SO GOOD!! My family would love them!
Debbie
Amazing taste and very easy to make! These were a hit with everyone and I will make them again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Debbie! So glad that everyone liked them.
Toni Dash
Everyone at my house loved this meatball subs! A new favorite at my house!
Allyson Zea
Wow these meatball subs were absolutely delicious, and so easy! Thank you so much for the delicious recipe!
Erin
These Italian Meatball Subs are mouth watering!
Sara Welch
This was everything a gourmet sandwich should be, and then some! Easily, my new favorite sub! Delicious!