Cheesy Meatball Subs (Printable Version)
Tender beef meatballs in marinara with melted cheese on toasted rolls for a comforting handheld meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1/4 cup milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Sauce
11 - 2 cups marinara sauce
12 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Sandwich Assembly
13 - 4 sub rolls (about 6 inches each)
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Shape the mixture into 12 equal meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
04 - While the meatballs bake, heat the marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in red pepper flakes if desired.
05 - Transfer the cooked meatballs into the warm marinara sauce, turning to coat evenly. Simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors meld.
06 - Mix the melted butter with the grated garlic. Slice the sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Brush the cut sides with garlic butter and toast on a baking tray for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
07 - Place 3 saucy meatballs inside each toasted roll. Spoon extra sauce over the top and sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella.
08 - Return the assembled subs to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the mozzarella is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The garlic butter on the rolls is the kind of small touch that makes people close their eyes on the first bite.
- Everything cooks in under an hour, and most of that is hands off oven time.
- You probably have almost all of these ingredients sitting in your kitchen right now.
02 -
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture or they will turn out rubbery, a gentle hand makes all the difference.
- Toasting the rolls before adding sauce creates a barrier that prevents the bread from dissolving into a soggy mess.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling meatballs and the mixture will not stick to your palms at all.
- Broil the assembled subs for the final minute instead of baking if you want a deeply golden cheese top with those irresistible blistered spots.