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Home » Dinner » Beef » The BEST Meatball Subs

The BEST Meatball Subs

Created: March 29, 2019 Updated: September 8, 2022 by lyuba 15 Comments

95.9K shares
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Meatball Sub is a hot delicious sandwich packed with tender Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, and gooey, melted Mozzarella Cheese. I’m sharing a few tips to make the best Meatball Subs right at home. You can easily make them with leftover meatballs or make meatballs specially for the subs ahead of time.

If you’re a fan of sub sandwiches, make sure to try our White BBQ Chicken Sub, Tomato Mozzarella Italian Sausage Hoagies, and the Baked Italian Sub.

top view of three meatball subs in the baking dish

The Best Sandwich In The World

Meatball sub is my second favorite thing to order at pizzerias, besides pizza of course. You just can’t beat Italian meatballs packed into a fresh hoagie, surrounded in marinara sauce, and topped with extra Mozzarella cheese. Oh, and the whole thing is toasted hot in the oven to create a perfect hot and cheesy sandwich.

These subs are so easy to make at home, it will take about 20 minutes and you will be sinking your teeth onto one. Just make sure to let it cool first! 

What you need is a killer Italian Meatballs to start with. I happen to have one right here, so make sure to use this awesome recipe for the sandwich. Homemade meatballs and homemade marinara sauce is what will make this sub unlike anything you can buy.

You can also prepare the meatballs and the sauce ahead of time or use leftovers. Meatball sub is the best use of leftovers after a family Spaghetti and Meatballs night. Meatballs and sauce can be kept in the fridge for 3-5 day, stored in an air-tight containers. Both can also be portioned and frozen.

If you have some meatballs and marinara sauce in the freezer, you can make Meatball subs fast and easy any day of the week. Just make sure to pull everything from the freezer the night before and slow-thaw it in the refrigerator. 

closeup of the meatball sub in the middle

Tips For The BEST Results:

  • As I mentioned above, homemade meatballs and sauce will make your sandwiches the best. 
  • Get the recipe for Homemade Meatballs and you can make them right for the sandwich or a day before.
  • Make Homemade Marinara sauce at the same time as the meatballs and you can store them together or in separate containers.
  • 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. 
  • Spread some marinara sauce on the bottom of the sandwich, before adding the meatballs, to soak some of it onto the bread. 
  • Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese under meatballs as well, to add more amazing classic Italian flavors.
  • Use shredded cheese on top instead of slices so it spreads more evenly over the meatballs and bread. 
  • Meatballs subs make great party food too. Bake several meatball subs at the same time and then slice each hoagie into 3 or 4 pieces. Place mini sandwiches on the tray and your guests will be all over it. 
adding sauce to the meatballs in the sub
adding cheese to the meatball subs

How To Make It:

Meatball subs are best made in the oven. 

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 or cover with some aluminum foil.

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 meatballs inside the roll, side by side. 

Spread a little more marinara sauce over the meatballs. 

Generously spread shredded Mozzarella cheese over each hoagie and sprinkle some dried oregano. 

Bake for 15-17 minutes. (If using cold meatballs and marinara sauce, you would need to add about 5 minutes to bake time.)

stacked meatball sub cut in half

Storing and Reheating Instructions:

Leftover meatballs subs can be reheated easily in the oven.

Wrap each cooled sub in aluminum foil air-tight and store it in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

To easily reheat them, preheat oven to 350° and place wrapped sub on a baking sheet and into the oven.

Reheat for about 10 minutes and then open the foil. Let the sub toast for about 5 more minutes and it’s ready to enjoy again.

Pin These Subs For Later

Pin For Later
closeup of one meatball sub

Meatball Subs

Meatball Sub is a hot delicious sandwich packed with tender Italian meatballs, marinara sauce, and gooey, melted Mozzarella Cheese.
4.49 from 29 votes
Print SaveSaved! Rate
Course: lunch, Main Course, sandwich
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: hot sandwich, italian meatballs, meatball, sub sandwich
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 (3 subs)
Calories: 236kcal

Ingredients

For Meatball Subs:

  • 3 hoagie rolls
  • 12 Italian Meatballs (12-15 meatballs)
  • 1- 1.5 cup Marinara Sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 3 tbsp fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1-1.5 cup 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
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • For the best results, we love to use leftover Italian Meatballs because they are cooked right in the sauce. If you wish, you can make the meatballs below just for the subs or use other meatballs you love.

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.
  • Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a baking sheet with some oil or cover it with parchment paper.
  • 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 add them to the baking sheet, close together but not touching.
  • Bake the meatballs for 20-22 minutes, depending on the size.

To Make Meatball Subs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • 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 or cover with some aluminum foil.
  • 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 meatballs inside the roll, side by side. 
  • Spread a little more marinara sauce over the meatballs. 
  • Generously spread shredded Mozzarella cheese over each hoagie and sprinkle some dry oregano. 
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes. (If using cold meatballs and marinara sauce, you would need to add about 5 minutes to bake time.)

Video

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 and tag #willcookforsmiles
collage of two images of meatballs subs in baking dish

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

95.9K shares

Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Beef, Italian, Lunch, Popular Posts, Sandwich Tagged With: meatballs

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.

Comments

  1. Miriam W Jones says

    April 14, 2019 at 11:31 am

    VERY NICE MUST TRY IT

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      April 25, 2019 at 12:06 pm

      Miriam, Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    October 23, 2019 at 7:38 pm

    I’m guessing you cook the meatballs first??

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 23, 2019 at 8:47 am

      Yes, you cook the meatballs first! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Crissy says

    December 16, 2019 at 9:40 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      December 23, 2019 at 8:48 am

      Aw, thank you for your kind comment! I am so glad you liked them 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jay moon says

    November 1, 2022 at 9:33 pm

    4 stars
    Tried this recipe. Will not be putting sauce as first layer again. Flavor was good however bread became soggy.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 4, 2022 at 9:29 am

      I haven’t had that result, sorry that happened to you.

      Reply
  5. Yueretia says

    November 12, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    I love this recipe hands down great. I did add sauteed onion and bell pepper it made it awesome

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 18, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      I am so glad you liked it, Yuertia!

      Reply
  6. Pam says

    November 14, 2022 at 4:08 pm

    Made these tonight! So good I added garlic butter to my bread. Thank you! I will definitely be making these again!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 18, 2022 at 11:57 am

      Yum! Love garlic butter! I am so glad you liked the recipe, Pam!

      Reply
  7. Tammy says

    November 27, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    Hoagie was so much bread! But delicious nonetheless.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      November 29, 2022 at 11:07 am

      You could scrap some of the bread out of the middle next time if you don’t like a lot of bread.

      Reply
  8. Denise says

    December 24, 2022 at 8:30 pm

    5 stars
    My hubby loves these. Easy to make & very tasty.

    Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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