Cheesy Meatball Subs (Printable)
Juicy beef meatballs in marinara, nestled in toasted rolls and topped with melted mozzarella for a hearty, comforting bite.
# What You'll 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 softened butter (optional, for toasting rolls)
18 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Position the oven rack so subs will be 4-5 inches from the broiler element.
02 - In a large mixing 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 meatballs in a single layer and brown on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes, turning carefully. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, cook the chopped onion over medium heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour marinara sauce and dried basil into the skillet, stirring to combine. Return the browned meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.
06 - Slice each sub roll lengthwise, leaving one side attached as a hinge. Brush cut sides with softened butter if desired. Place under the broiler cut-side-up for 1 to 2 minutes until golden and lightly crisp.
07 - Place 3 meatballs with generous spoonfuls of sauce into each toasted roll. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese and arrange subs on a baking sheet.
08 - Broil assembled subs for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely, until the mozzarella is fully melted and bubbling with golden spots.
09 - Top each sub with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The meatballs simmer directly in the sauce so every bite carries that deep slow cooked flavor without actually taking hours.
- Melty mozzarella over golden toasted rolls creates that perfect contrast between crunchy and gooey that makes you close your eyes after the first bite.
02 -
- Do not skip browning the meatballs because that step creates a crust that holds them together during the simmer and adds tremendous flavor to the sauce.
- Toasting the rolls before adding sauce creates a buttery barrier that prevents the bread from turning into a soggy mess before you finish eating.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling meatballs and the mixture will not stick to your palms giving you smoother more uniform results.
- Watch the broiler like a hawk because the difference between perfectly melted cheese and a charred disaster can be literally thirty seconds.