The BEST Meatball Subs
Meatball Sub is a hot delicious sandwich packed with tender Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, and gooey, melted Mozzarella Cheese. I'm sharing lots of tips to make my famous Meatball Subs right at home.
What Makes These the Best Meatball Subs?
These meatball subs have become famous in my circle for one simple reason: everyone who tries them falls in love.
- it starts with the meatballs themselves! I’ve tested my Italian meatballs recipe for many years and they are amazing! It’s all in the carefully chosen ingredients in meatballs, high-quality deli sub rolls, and preparation method!
- next key step that adds more flavor is searing the meatballs first!
- another secret is cooking the meatballs in sauce.
- it’s a great make-ahead or leftovers recipe. You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and keep them in the fridge or freezer, which means you can assemble these amazing subs quickly and easily any day of the week.
Top Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
It took me many years to perfect my Italian meatball subs and these are the main reason for their success:
- Meat – this has been one of my “secrets” to the best Italian meatballs and that is the mixture of ground beef and ground pork. It helps with the best juicy and tender texture of the meatballs.
- Milk soaked bread – not bread crumbs, but ripped pieces of bread soaked in milk will give help with texture, moisture, and keep the meatballs from falling apart.
- Gluten free substitution – use gluten free bread to make this recipe gluten free, in meatballs and as the bread option for the sub.
- Cheeses – grated parmesan cheese is yet another “secret” ingredients in the meatballs and mozzarella cheese melts beautifully on the meatball sub.
- Marinara sauce – another reason my meatballs subs are so good is my homemade marinara sauce, but you can also use your favorite store-bought one.
- Store Bought Marinara Options – I’ve taste-tested many sauces and my personal favorite brands are La San Marzano Marinara Sauce or Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce. For a more budget friendly option, Whole Foods’ 365 Organic Marinara.
- Hoagies – Get deli-fresh hoagies or sub rolls for the best bread. Deli hoagies have a great texture because it’s crunchy on the outside but soft and spongy on the inside.
How To Make The BEST Meatball Subs: Steps and Tips
- Make the Italian Meatballs: combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs mixture, mix well but mix fast! When rolling the meatballs, grease your hands to prevent the meat mixture from sticking. Scoop and roll the meatballs as quickly as you can, so the body heat from your hands doesn’t melt the fats in the meat.
- Cook Meatballs In Marinara Sauce: Roll all the meatballs before cooking them. For even more flavor in the sandwich, pan-sear the meatballs first and then, add sauce and pop them in the oven to finish cooking. It will take a minute or so to sear on both sides and then about 15-18 minutes in the oven.
- Assemble the Subs: While meatballs are cooking, slice the hoagies in the middle and spread some marinara sauce on the bottom. Add some Parmesan cheese over the sauce. When done, add the meatballs to the hoagies. Top the meatballs with shredded mozzarella generously!
- Toast the Subs: place the assembled sub in the a baking dish and bake for about 15 minutes.
Variations You Can Try
- Cheese: While mozzarella and parmesan cheese are your classics, you can also try to add some more flavor with other cheeses. You can use shredded Italian cheese mix for the top. The Italian cheese mix often contains other cheeses like Asiago, Romano, Provolone, Pecorino, and others.
- Meatballs: this sub is very easy to make with turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs!
- Toppings: add some sliced roasted red peppers, sauteed onions and peppers, caramelized onions, fresh herbs like parsley and/or basil, thinly sliced sauteed mushrooms, and if you want to add a little spice, try pickled jalapenos.
Storage, Make-Ahead, and Reheating Instructions
- To Make Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days.
- To Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and sauce. First, let the cooked meatballs and sauce cool to room temperature. Portion into freezer-safe bags, press out the excess air, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw them in the refrigerator.
- To Store Leftovers: Wrap any leftover assembled subs tightly and refrigerate for one to two days. Be aware that the sauce will soften the bread over time.
- To Reheat: To reheat leftover meatball subs, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove any plastic wrapping, wrap the sub in aluminum foil, and place it on a baking sheet. Heat for 10 minutes, then open the foil and heat for 5 more minutes until toasted.
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Meatball Sub Recipe
Meatball Sub is a hot delicious sandwich packed with tender Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, and gooey, melted Mozzarella Cheese. I'm sharing lots of tips to make my famous Meatball Subs right at home.
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Servings: 6 (3 subs)
Calories: 236kcal
Ingredients
For Meatball Subs:
- 3 deli hoagie rolls
- 12 Italian Meatballs (12-15 meatballs)
- 1/2 cup Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups thick shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp dried oregano
For Homemade Meatballs:
- 1/2 lb ground beef 85%/15% preferably
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 thin slice of whole wheat bread soaked in milk squeezed
- 1/4 cup minced yellow onion
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves pressed
- 1 tbsp fresh minced basil
- 1/2 tbsp fresh minded parsley
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher coarse or sea salt to taste
- 1/8-1/4 tsp black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups Marinara Sauce TO COOK meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
For Homemade Meatballs:
- Combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, minced onion, parmesan cheese, pressed garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in large mixing bowl. Squeeze out the slice of bread, break it up, and add it to the bowl. Mix everything very well.Try to mix quickly but thoroughly.
- Expert Tip: Grease your hands with some cooking spray. To get even meatballs, use a cookie scoop. I use #40 scoop but you can use a slightly larger one. Try to keep the meatballs about 1 inch in diameter. (You can make meatballs a little bigger or smaller according to your own preference. Just remember to adjust cooking time if making bigger or smaller meatballs.)
- Quickly roll all the meatballs and place them on a parchment paper
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Preheat a large cooking pan that is also oven-safe over medium to medium-high heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of olive or avocado oil for cooking meatballs.
- Add all meatballs to the pan. Sear the meatballs for a couple of minutes, then flip. Let them sear on that side for a few seconds and pour in marinara sauce. Transfer into the oven and bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes, depending on the size.
To Assemble Meatball Subs and Bake:
- Slice hoagie rolls in the middle, on top, but not all the way through. Place hoagies in the baking dish or rimmed baking sheet side by side. Depending on the dish, you may need to lightly grease it.
- Spread a couple of tablespoons of marinara sauce on the bottom of each hoagie and sprinkle some fresh grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Depending on the size of the hoagie roll and size of the meatballs, you can fit 4-5 meatballs in each roll. Place the sauced meatballs inside the roll, side by side.
- Generously spread shredded Mozzarella cheese over each hoagie and sprinkle some dried oregano.
- Bake for about 15 minutes. (If using cold meatballs and marinara sauce, you would need to add about 5 minutes to bake time.)
Notes
- Quick Ingredient Swaps: Use store-bought marinara if needed or preferred.
- Technique Clarifications: Cooking time of the meatballs may vary slightly depending on the exact size of your meatballs.
- Party Serving Suggestions: For party-style subs, slice each finished hoagie into 3-4 smaller pieces and feel free to double the recipe.
- Make ahead suggestion: you can cook meatballs and sauce ahead of time, store in the refrigerator, and assemble the subs when ready.
Nutrition
Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 6.2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles or tag #willcookforsmiles!
Can I Double The Recipe For Larger Crowd?
Meatballs subs make great party food. You can easily double the meatballs recipe and double the sub recipe to make 6 meatball sub hoagies. Bake several meatball subs at the same time, in 2-3 baking dishes, and then slice each hoagie into 3 or 4 pieces, securing them with long toothpicks. Place mini sandwiches on the tray and your guests will be all over it.
Can I Assemble The Subs Ahead Of Time?
No, the bread will get too soggy. Prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead but don’t assemble the sandwiches until ready to bake!
Some More Delicious Recipes To Try
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in March 2019.
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Categories:
30 Minute Meals, Beef Recipes, Italian Dinner Recipes, Lunch Recipe Ideas, Most Popular Recipes, Sandwich Recipes, Super Bowl Recipes,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
I didn’t get to use your meatball recipe, I had leftovers in the freezer, however it was so quick and easy to put together with the sauce and cheeses, toss in the oven and bake. Next is making your meatballs and enough to restock the freezer. Thank You!
Thank you for giving the recipe a try, even with a freezer shortcut! 😊 I’m so glad to hear it was quick and easy to put together—and that it hit the spot! Can’t wait for you to try the meatballs next; they’re perfect for stocking up the freezer. Enjoy, and thank you for sharing your experience!
Can u use frozen Italian meatballs ?
Sure, just make sure to thaw them first!
So easy — cuz I had extra meatballs left over from night before — my hubby had been wanting a meatball sub for long time🤗
I saw your recipe & like it & I had everything— so just put all together 🤗
My hubby is trying it now & it’s a 👍👍 up!!
Will be doing it again !!❤️
I am so glad you liked it, Darnell!
THEY LOOK DELICIOUS, WOW!
My hubby loves these. Easy to make & very tasty.
Hoagie was so much bread! But delicious nonetheless.
You could scrap some of the bread out of the middle next time if you don’t like a lot of bread.
Made these tonight! So good I added garlic butter to my bread. Thank you! I will definitely be making these again!
Yum! Love garlic butter! I am so glad you liked the recipe, Pam!
That’s sounds good next time I’m definitely trying that.
I love this recipe hands down great. I did add sauteed onion and bell pepper it made it awesome
I am so glad you liked it, Yuertia!
Tried this recipe. Will not be putting sauce as first layer again. Flavor was good however bread became soggy.
I haven’t had that result, sorry that happened to you.
These were amazing, I used your meatball recipe, so perfect! So smart to cut the rolls down the middle, the sandwich held together perfectly! Will definitely make these again! I baked them about 10 minutes!
Aw, thank you for your kind comment! I am so glad you liked them 🙂
I’m guessing you cook the meatballs first??
Yes, you cook the meatballs first! 🙂
VERY NICE MUST TRY IT
Miriam, Thank you!