The Best Italian Meatball Subs Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a mouthwatering Italian meatball sub might just become your new weekend culinary adventure.

These savory sandwiches pack a punch of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Tender, juicy meatballs nestled in a warm, crusty bread, dripping with rich marinara sauce.

The combination of herbs, spices, and perfectly seasoned meat creates a symphony of deliciousness.

Each bite promises a comforting blend of textures and robust Italian-inspired goodness.

We’ve perfected a recipe that’s simple yet impressive, guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters.

Grab a napkin and get ready to impress everyone at your next gathering – this sub is about to become your signature dish.

Why Italian Meatball Subs Are Bold And Filling

• Savor Flavor-Packed Delights: These Italian meatballs burst with robust seasonings like Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs, creating a mouth-watering explosion of authentic taste in every bite.
• Enjoy Effortless Cooking: The simple baking and simmering method makes this recipe incredibly easy, perfect for home cooks of all skill levels who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Melted cheese, warm marinara sauce, and juicy meatballs nestled in crispy toasted rolls make this sub a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that satisfies hunger and warms hearts at family dinners or casual gatherings.
• Experience Quick Meal Magic: From preparation to serving, this recipe takes less than 45 minutes, offering a speedy solution for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious but don't have hours to cook.

What You’ll Need For Italian Meatball Subs

• Ground Beef: Rich protein foundation with deep flavor, choose 80/20 lean to fat ratio for juicy meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory depth and helps bind the meatballs together, freshly grated preferred.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg, Milk: Create tender meatball texture and help ingredients stick together.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic, Parsley: Provide robust Italian-style seasoning and aromatic complexity.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic Italian sauce for coating meatballs, store-bought or homemade works well.
• Mozzarella Cheese, Additional Parmesan Cheese: Melty and sharp cheese toppings for extra richness.
• Hoagie Rolls: Sturdy bread base for holding meatballs, fresh and slightly crusty rolls recommended.
• Butter, Garlic Powder: Enhance roll's flavor and create golden toasted exterior.

How To Make Italian Meatball Subs At Home

Step 1: Mix Meatball Ingredients

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Chopped parsley
• Milk

Gently blend all ingredients until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Shape the mixture into perfectly round meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching each other.

Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 15-18 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked and golden brown.

Step 2: Create Savory Sauce

Pour marinara sauce into a large skillet over medium heat.

Sprinkle in dried oregano and garlic powder for extra flavor.

Carefully transfer the baked meatballs into the simmering sauce.

Let the meatballs bathe in the sauce for 5 minutes, ensuring they’re evenly coated and absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Step 3: Prepare Crusty Rolls

Turn on the broiler and position the rack near the top of the oven.

Slice hoagie rolls lengthwise and brush generously with melted butter.

Dust the buttered rolls with a light sprinkle of garlic powder.

Place rolls under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Step 4: Assemble Mouthwatering Subs

Nestle 3-4 saucy meatballs into each toasted roll.

Drizzle extra marinara sauce over the meatballs.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Return the loaded subs to the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, irresistible topping.

Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley for a final touch of freshness.

Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your incredible Italian meatball subs!

Top Tips For Italian Meatball Subs

• Perfect Meatball Binding: Add milk and egg as binding agents to keep meatballs moist and prevent crumbling during cooking.
• Customize Meat Blend: Mix ground beef with ground pork or veal for extra flavor and tender texture in meatballs.
• Prevent Cheese Burning: Broil cheese carefully and watch closely to achieve golden melted topping without scorching.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for celiac-friendly version.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance, then assemble subs just before serving for quick weeknight meals.

How To Keep Italian Meatball Subs Warm And Tasty

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the rolls separate to prevent sogginess.
• Freeze: Wrap individual meatballs or entire subs tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat Meatballs: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of marinara sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.
• Reheat Assembled Subs: Unwrap frozen subs and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through and cheese melts.

Best Sides For Italian Meatball Subs

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Grab a robust Italian Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty flavors of these meatball subs. The wine's acidity cuts through the heaviness of the cheese and marinara sauce, creating a perfect balance.
• Crisp Side Salad Companion: Whip up a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the sub's hearty profile. The peppery greens and tangy dressing will refresh your palate between bites of the cheesy, saucy meatball sandwich.
• Classic Beer Match: Reach for an amber ale or crisp lager that stands up to the marinara's bold taste. These beers have enough carbonation to cleanse your palate and enough malt character to enhance the meatballs' savory notes.
• Zesty Pickle Complement: Serve some quick-pickled vegetables on the side to add a bright, acidic crunch that cuts through the sub's richness. Pickled red onions or cucumber spears work wonderfully to balance the meal's heavy components.

Fun Takes On Italian Meatball Subs

• Spicy Chorizo Fusion: Swap ground beef for spicy chorizo sausage, adding a zesty Mexican-inspired kick to the classic Italian meatball sub.
• Mediterranean Lamb Variation: Replace beef with ground lamb, mix in feta cheese, and season with mint and oregano for a Greek-style flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Meatball Remix
• Smoky BBQ Crossover: Mix barbecue sauce into marinara, use smoked paprika in meatball mixture, and top with crispy onion strings for a Texas-style transformation.

FAQs About Italian Meatball Subs

• What makes these meatballs so flavorful?

The secret is in the blend of ingredients like Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and garlic. This combination creates a rich, savory taste that makes these meatballs absolutely delicious.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for beef. Just keep in mind that turkey might make slightly drier meatballs, so you may want to add a bit more milk or consider mixing turkey with some ground pork for extra moisture.

• How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160F (71C). If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut one in half to ensure there’s no pink in the center and the meat looks fully cooked.

• What can I do if I don't have Italian seasoning?

No worries! You can make your own by mixing dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary in equal proportions. Most kitchen spice cabinets will have these herbs, so you can easily create your own blend.

Italian Meatball Subs Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian meatball subs blend savory ground beef, herbs, and marinara sauce into a mouthwatering sandwich sensation. Melted provolone cheese and crusty bread elevate this classic comfort meal that will satisfy your deepest hunger pangs.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)

Meatball Seasonings and Binders:

• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Sauce and Assembly Ingredients:

• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 4 hoagie rolls or sub rolls
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft savory meatballs by thoroughly blending ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, and milk in a mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly integrated.
2. Form the meat mixture into uniform spheres approximately 1½ inches in diameter, positioning them carefully on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Roast the meatballs in a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven for 15-18 minutes, ensuring they reach a safe internal temperature and develop a golden-brown exterior.
4. Transfer marinara sauce to a large skillet, enhancing its flavor with dried oregano and garlic powder, then gently introduce the freshly baked meatballs into the simmering liquid.
5. Allow meatballs to bathe in the sauce for 5 minutes, enabling them to absorb rich, aromatic flavors while maintaining their tender texture.
6. Prepare hoagie rolls by brushing their surfaces with melted butter and dusting with garlic powder, then position under the broiler until they transform into crispy, golden-edged vessels.
7. Arrange 3-4 saucy meatballs within each toasted roll, generously draping additional marinara over the meat.
8. Sprinkle a luxurious blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese atop the meatballs, returning the assembled subs to the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbling, appetizing layer.
9. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, serving the subs immediately while they remain warm and irresistibly inviting.

Notes

• Customize meatball size for perfect bite-width, ensuring each sub has consistent, easy-to-eat portions.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter, diet-friendly options that maintain delicious flavor profiles.
• Prevent dry meatballs by using a light touch when mixing ingredients and avoiding over-mixing, which can make the meat tough and compact.
• Select high-quality marinara sauce or make homemade sauce for enhanced taste and control over sodium and sugar content, elevating the overall sub experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg