Description
Delicious homemade Meatball Subs made with tender, savory meatballs baked to perfection, smothered in rich marinara sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly assembled in hoagie rolls and finished under the broiler for a gooey, crispy topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound 85% lean ground beef (substitute with leaner beef, turkey, or chicken if preferred)
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce by half if using finer salt like sea salt or table salt)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (Italian or panko breadcrumbs work well)
- â…“ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 large egg
Sauce and Assembly
- 16 ounces marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade – about 1 jar)
- 4 hoagie rolls (submarine rolls or hot dog buns can also be used)
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (or substitute with Parmesan or provolone)
- Chopped fresh basil and/or Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, finely chopped onion, fresh Italian parsley, kosher salt, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and the egg. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches each, and place them spaced out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the edges are crispy and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), ensuring they are fully cooked.
- Heat Marinara Sauce: While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a large saucepan over low to medium heat until heated through.
- Coat Meatballs in Sauce: Once meatballs are done, add them to the saucepan with the marinara sauce and gently coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Assemble Subs: Spoon four sauced meatballs into each hoagie roll, distributing the sauce evenly. Generously top each with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil Sandwiches: Place the assembled subs under the broiler for 1 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and/or Italian parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Adjust salt quantity based on salt type used to prevent oversalting.
- Breadcrumbs can be Italian seasoned or plain; panko adds a lighter texture.
- Keep an eye on the subs under the broiler as cheese can burn quickly.
- Fresh herbs add a bright finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
