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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Betsy
Made this and substituted the ground beef for Italian sausage tonight — holy crap. Absolutely INCREDIBLE recipe, thanks so much! This will be one I come back to over and over again!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Betsy! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
chara
I didn’t know we can make this at home! I love this, Wow! I’m making this later, thanks for sharing
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Chara!
Angela M
These meatball subs were so tasty! They were super hearty and flavorful, and made for a great, easy dinner for my family.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Angela! I am so glad that you liked them!
Sean
They were amazing and easy to make. The family loves them! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Sean!
Paula
My entire family went wild for these meatball subs! Delish!!!
David K
What a great meatball sub recipe! I love how juicy the meatballs are and the flavor is just amazing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, David!
Sarah
These meatball subs are so yummy! I swap for my pizza sauce recipe, but this has become a go-to meal whenever we’re craving meatballs.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sarah! So happy that you all like them!
Liane
I had a bunch of meatballs in the freezer, and didn’t want to serve spaghetti and meatballs to my family again. I came across this recipe which inspired me to try making meatball subs. Wow, a total hit! My 11 year old said that the recipe is a for sure keeper. Thanks for the inspo!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Liane! So glad that you liked the meatball subs!
Jessica P
I recently discovered your page (I’m super picky about who I follow… the recipes must be AMAZING lol) and I must say, this meatball sub recipe was a big hit with my family of 4! Thank you so much for posting, I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much, Jessica! I am so glad that you liked the meatball subs.
Richard Lowe
I love meatball subs! There was a time, years ago, when I ate one every day for months. Thanks for the recipe.
Wendy Valentine
My husband and I just made these deliciously yummy Meatballs Sub recipe. We did the recipe too a T & we are so impressed. The flavor is superb. Thank you so much. I’ve made meatball subs my whole life, this receipt is the best I’ve ever made! We love them.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Wendy! I am so glad that you and your husband enjoyed them! Happy New Year to you and yours!