Cheesy Meatball Subs (Print Version)
Toasted subs filled with juicy beef meatballs, marinara and melted mozzarella—classic Italian-American comfort.
# What You Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Tomato Sauce
10 - 2 cups marinara sauce
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
→ Assembly
15 - 4 sub rolls (about 8 inches each)
16 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 2 tbsp butter, softened (optional, for toasting)
18 - Fresh basil leaves, to garnish (optional)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Position the oven rack so the broiler is accessible.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until evenly incorporated without overworking the meat. Shape into 12 uniform meatballs.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes until a deep golden crust forms. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion over medium heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet and stir in the dried basil. Bring to a gentle simmer, then carefully return the browned meatballs to the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
06 - Slice each sub roll lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Optionally brush the cut sides with softened butter. Place under the broiler cut-side up for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisped.
07 - Place 3 meatballs into each toasted sub roll and ladle sauce generously over them. Top each sub with shredded mozzarella cheese and arrange on a baking sheet.
08 - Broil the assembled subs for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the mozzarella is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly browned in spots.
09 - Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The meatballs are tender and flavorful, and the broiled cheese creates that irresistible golden pull everyone fights over.
- It comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- This is the kind of meal that turns an ordinary weeknight into something worth remembering.
02 -
- Overmixing the meatball mixture makes them dense and tough, fold gently and stop as soon as everything is combined.
- Watch the broiler like a hawk during the final step, cheese goes from perfectly bubbly to burnt in seconds.
03 -
- Shred your own mozzarella from a block instead of using pre shredded, the anti caking agents in bagged cheese prevent it from melting smoothly.
- Let the meatballs rest in the sauce for five minutes off the heat before assembling, they absorb more flavor and hold together better in the rolls.