Cheesy Meatball Subs (Printable)
Tender beef meatballs in marinara with melted mozzarella on toasted garlic butter rolls.
# 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 whole milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce
11 - 2 cups marinara sauce
12 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Sandwich Assembly
13 - 4 sub rolls (approximately 6 inches each)
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1 clove garlic, finely grated
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
# Method:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently fold the ingredients together until evenly incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
03 - Form the mixture into 12 uniform meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
04 - While the meatballs bake, pour the marinara sauce into a large skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Add the red pepper flakes if using and stir to combine.
05 - Transfer the baked meatballs into the simmering marinara sauce, turning to coat evenly. Let them simmer gently for 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors meld together.
06 - Stir together the melted butter and grated garlic. Slice each sub roll lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Brush the cut sides generously with the garlic butter mixture. Place the rolls on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
07 - Place 3 saucy meatballs into each toasted roll. Spoon extra marinara sauce over the top, then sprinkle each sub generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
08 - Return the assembled subs to the oven for 3 to 4 minutes until the mozzarella is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden in spots.
09 - Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The meatballs bake in the oven instead of frying, which means less mess and no oil splattering your stove while you multitask.
- Garlic butter on the rolls creates a barrier that keeps the bread from turning soggy under all that sauce and cheese.
02 -
- Overmixing the meatball mixture is the fastest way to end up with tough, rubbery balls, so stop mixing as soon as everything looks evenly combined.
- Toasting the rolls before adding the sauce creates a crisp garlic butter layer that prevents the bread from dissolving into a soggy mess before you finish eating.
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop to portion the meatball mixture so every one comes out the same size and they all finish cooking at the same time.
- Broil the assembled subs for the last 60 seconds instead of baking if you want those beautifully browned, blistered cheese edges that make people weak in the knees.