Quick and easy meatball subs recipe made with homemade or frozen meatballs. Simple dinner idea that can be customized to your liking.
I’m a big fan of making what I can from scratch and homemade meatball subs is no different. However, what I love about this meal idea is how simple it is to adjust this recipe to make it even easier.
When we have a busy evening filled with swim lessons or other school activities, it’s nice to know that when we get home we don’t have to make a huge mess in the kitchen! Because, honestly, dishes are the last thing I want to do at 8:30pm.
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So tonight we’re making homemade meatball subs that can are easily customizable to the time you have available. First we’ll make our homemade meatballs and then we’ll do an simple homemade marinara sauce to go with it.
Or simply pick up your favorite frozen meatballs and jar of marinara at the grocery store for an easy no fuss dinner.
MEATBALL SUBS RECIPE
Ingredients
-Meatballs- Homemade meatballs are delicious, but if you’re short on time use your favorite frozen meatballs.
-Marinara sauce- Use our simple homemade marinara sauce recipe or pick up your favorite at the store. *Note- You can use spaghetti sauce if that’s all you have on hand. It’s best to use a sauce with no chunky ingredients.
-Cheese- Both provolone and mozzarella cheese are perfect for this sub sandwich.
-Buns- Sub rolls. You might also call them hoagies or brat buns. In a pinch you can even use hotdog buns but they won’t hold as well.
-Garlic & butter for toasting the bun.
HOMEMADE MEATBALLS SUBS RECIPE
- 1 lb beef 85%
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Italian Panko crumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup onion
- 2 tsp. garlic
- 1 TBS fresh parsley
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
MAKE THE MEATBALLS
In a large bowl combine 1 lb beef, 1 egg, ½ cup Italian Panko crumbs, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ½ cup diced onion, 1 TBS fresh parsley, 2 tsp. garlic, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper. Mix until combined.
Roll into 1 inch balls.
-Makes approximately 16-20 meatballs.
COOK THE MEATBALLS
Heat a cast iron skillet to medium high. Add 1 TBS of olive oil. Add meatballs to the cast iron skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
Place meatballs onto an oven tray and cook at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°.
HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE RECIPE
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tsp. garlic
- 1- 15oz. can tomato sauce
- 1 TBS fresh parsley
- 2 tsp. sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
In the same skillet that we just browned the meatballs, we’ll also be making our marinara sauce. Instead of adding olive oil into the pan, we’ll be using that fat that is leftover from the meatballs.
Add ½ cup finely chopped onion and cook until soft. Add 2 tsp. garlic and cook until fragrant.
Pour in 1-15 oz can of tomato sauce and the remaining seasonings. 1 TBS fresh chopped parsley, 2 tsp. sugar and salt and pepper to taste. I’d start with ¼ tsp. salt and adjust accordingly.
Allow to simmer while meatballs are cooking in the oven.
Once the meatballs are cooked throughly, add them to the sauce mixture and simmer another 5 minutes.
PREPARE THE BUN
Slice the roll lengthwise and spread butter and minced garlic along the inside. I like to use the garlic from the jars but you can also lightly sprinkle garlic powder along the roll.
Set the oven broiler on low and place the roll on a baking try. Be sure to broil the bun while it is open so that the inside can get a lightly golden brown color.
This will also prevent your sandwich from getting soggy from the meatballs.
TOAST THE MEATBALL SUB
Once the bun is toasted add your filling. Add 3-4 meatballs, depending on the subs size, and top with your choice of provolone or mozzarella cheese. Allow it to lay flat on the baking tray so that the cheese melts evenly.
Broil on low until cheese has melted and then close the sub sandwich and allow the top to broil until golden brown.
PRO TIP
This sandwich is really big. To make it easier to eat you can cut the meatballs in half before adding the cheese and toasting it on broil.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MEATBALLS SUBS
Meatball subs are already pretty hearty on their own so you might not need much of anything else, but some light options include:
- Pickles and chips
- Side salad
- Coleslaw
- Onion rings
Related posts-
MEATBALL SUB TOPPINGS
We like to leave well enough alone when it comes to topping our meatball subs but if your looking for a few toppings, these work well.
- Black olives
- Pepperoni
- Jalapeños
- Mushrooms
- Pickles
HOW TO AVOID A SOGGY MEATBALL SUB
The best way to avoid a soggy meatball sub sandwich is by toasting the bun with garlic butter before adding the meatballs. Be sure to toast the inside of the bun and not just the top.
Another option would be to add a layer of provolone cheese on both the top and bottom of the sandwich to act as a barrier between the bread and the meatballs.
LEFTOVERS
Leftover meatball subs are so delicious the next day! However, you’ll want to store leftover meatballs in an air tight container in the fridge and assemble your sub sandwich fresh for that meal.
I hope you enjoy this meatball subs recipe meal idea as much as my family does!
Meatball Subs Recipe
Ingredients
- Meatballs
- Marinara sauce
- Cheese
- Subs
- Garlic Butter
Homemade Meatballs Recipe
- 1 lb beef
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Italian Panko crumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ cup onion
- 2 tsp. garlic
- 1 TBS fresh parsley
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tsp. garlic
- 1 15oz can tomato sauce
- 1 TBS fresh parsley
- 2 tsp. sugar (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Homemade Meatballs Recipe (or use your favorite frozen meatballs)
- In a large bowl combine 1 lb beef, 1 egg, ½ cup Italian Panko crumbs, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ½ cup diced onion, 1 TBS fresh parsley, 2 tsp. garlic, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper. Mix until combined.
- Roll into 1 inch balls.
- Heat a cast iron skillet to medium high. Add 1 TBS of olive oil. Add meatballs to the cast iron skillet and cook until browned on all sides.
- Place meatballs onto an oven tray and cook at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°.
Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe (or use your favorite jared sauce)
- In the same skillet that we just browned the meatballs, we'll also be making our marinara sauce. Instead of adding olive oil into the pan, we'll be using that fat that is leftover from the meatballs.
- Add ½ cup finely chopped onion and cook until soft. Add 2 tsp. garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in 1-15 oz can of tomato sauce and the remaining seasonings. 1 TBS fresh chopped parsley, 2 tsp. sugar and salt and pepper to taste. I'd start with ¼ tsp. salt and adjust accordingly.
- Allow to simmer while meatballs are cooking in the oven.
- Once the meatballs are cooked throughly, add them to the sauce mixture and simmer another 5 minutes.
Prepare the bun
- Slice the roll lengthwise and spread butter and minced garlic along the inside. I like to use the garlic from the jars but you can also lightly sprinkle garlic powder along the roll.
- Set the oven broiler on low and place the roll on a baking try. Be sure to broil the bun while it is open so that the inside can get a lightly golden brown color.
Toast the meatball sub
- Once the bun is toasted add your filling. Add 3-4 meatballs, depending on the subs size, and top with your choice of provolone or mozzarella cheese. Allow it to lay flat on the baking tray so that the cheese melts evenly.
- Broil on low until cheese has melted and then close the sub sandwich and allow the top to broil until golden brown.
Notes
Nutrition
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