A classic from sub shops and Italian restaurants, now the perfect at-home treat.
I was raised in Southern California, but my father moved from New York before he met my mother, and I remember going with him to visit New York when I was a kid. I have a lot of great memories from that trip: seeing Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, going to Times Square, and the one that comes to mind all the time was my first meatball sub.
We went to a sub shop in my father’s old neighborhood, and he ordered one for each of us. It was huge, and I could not eat it all, but it was one of the best-tasting sandwiches I had ever tried. When I came back to Los Angeles, I would order a meatball sub whenever I saw it on the menu, and they were always good, but they lacked the same impact as that first meatball sub.
I decided I needed to recreate that original sub at home and began searching for the perfect recipe. It is important that your meatballs have the right seasoning and consistency, your bread needs to be perfectly toasted and crunchy, and the sauce and cheese need to have just the right proportions to not overwhelm but highlight. I found all those components when I found this meatball sub recipe, and you will be so happy that you did the same.
Are Meatball Subs Healthy?
This meatball sub recipe is a source of protein and calcium, but also high in carbs and fat. So, consider what is best for you when making your sub. You can easily make this recipe vegan by substituting your meatballs for a plant-based alternative and substituting your cheese for some dairy-free variations.
How do I Make Sure my meatballs are moist and tender?
The key to a perfect meatball is to make sure you are using quality ingredients and taking your time to ensure they are all fully combined. The eggs and breadcrumbs are integral to the texture and moisture content of your meatballs, as well as the fat content of your ground beef. This recipe calls for lean ground beef, I like to use 80/20, which is lean but not dry. Additionally, the marinara sauce will add more moisture to your meatballs as it coats them fully.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Meatball subs should be enjoyed right away. If you make a full sub and store it, it will become soggy and less appetizing. If you would like to make your meatballs in advance and build your subs later, you can store the meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serving your meatball sub is pretty straightforward. The sub itself is a full meal and delicious. You can add a little additional grated Parmesan on top if you wish.
If you would like to add some greens as a side or appetizer, I would recommend a simple mixed greens salad with an Italian dressing if you want to be authentic. If you want to be a little more unique with your choice of side, try a Kale Salad With Bacon And Caramelized Onions. If you’d rather skip the meat, try these Vegan Meatballs when making your sub.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, heat marinara sauce over medium heat. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Slice hoagie rolls open and toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
- Place meatballs with sauce on the bottom half of each roll, top with shredded mozzarella, and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Close the sandwiches with the top halves of the rolls and serve hot.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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