This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Italian Meatball Subs
Homemade beef parmesan meatballs in a fresh marinara sauce topped with melted mozzarella cheese all on toasted bread
There’s something so warm and comforting about eating a hearty meatball sub covered in rich tomato sauce, melted cheese, all on buttery toasted bread. If my husband and I see a meatball sub on the menu, we are all about it! I have eaten my fair share of meatball subs in my day so it was time to recreate them at home for a fraction of the cost!
What makes a really good meatball sub? It all starts with making a juicy, flavorful meatball. It takes some quality ground beef, a good amount of seasoning, fresh herbs, panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and an egg to bind it all together.
The key is to saute the meatballs in extra-virgin olive oil for a few minutes to brown the meatballs on each side. Then the meatballs are added to a simmering pot of marinara to fully cook the meatball. This is what keeps it nice and juicy! Also, browning the meatballs brings out the flavor.
This is the best meatball sub recipe on the planet!
How to make Italian Meatball Subs:
- Start with high-quality ground beef (preferably 80/20 which gives the right amount of fat for a juicy meatball). If you use 85/15, it will be a tad less juicy meatball). Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, panko bread crumbs, fresh parsley, egg, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. I like to use my hands to get it really incorporated together.
- Roll the meatball mixture into large balls, depending on the desired size. Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the meatballs and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once to brown both sides.
- Meanwhile, make your own homemade marinara sauce or heat jarred marinara sauce in a large pot. Once the meatballs have browned, remove from the oil and place in the pot of simmering marinara sauce. Let cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- Cut bread in half, making sure not to cut all the way through. Spread butter over both sides of the bread. Put oven on the broil setting. Heat until the butter is completely melted and remove from the oven. Watch carefully as it can easily burn.
- Place cooked meatballs and sauce onto the bread and generously cover with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Top with fresh Italian parsley and serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping. If you want some extra spice, top with some marinated Italian peppers.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Italian Meatball Subs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef (preferably 80/20)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 large Egg
- 3/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 3/4 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (high-quality)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Italian Parsley (diced)
- 24-32 ounces Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (or more depending on taste)
- 4 Sliced French Bread or Sub Rolls
- Butter
Instructions
- Start with high-quality ground beef (preferably 80/20 which gives the right amount of fat for a juicy meatball). If you use 85/15, it will be a tad less juicy meatball). Mix ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, panko bread crumbs, fresh parsley, egg, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. I like to use my hands to get it really incorporated together.
- Roll the meatball mixture into large balls, depending on the desired size. Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is heated, add the meatballs and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning once to brown both sides.
- Meanwhile, make your own homemade marinara sauce or heat jarred marinara sauce in a large pot. Once the meatballs have browned, remove from the oil and place in the pot of simmering marinara sauce. Let cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- Cut bread in half, making sure not to cut all the way through. Spread butter over both sides of the bread. Put oven on the broil setting. Heat until the butter is completely melted and remove from the oven. Watch carefully as it can easily burn.
- Place cooked meatballs and sauce onto the bread and generously cover with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Top with fresh Italian parsley and serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping. If you want some extra spice, top with some marinated Italian peppers.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you freeze the meatballs? If so how would you go about reheating?
Thanks
Hi I was wondering could I use the Johnsonville ground sausage ? Has anyone tried that instead of the beef
I went with half beef and half Johnsonville sweet Italian. That’s my normal for all Italian dishes. They were nice and moist.
IT WAS SO GOOD
Oohhh this meal was D E L I S H!!!!!!
GREAT BUT EVEN BETTER WITH CHOCOLATE!!!!!
Best meatballs I’ve ever made…hubby approved. Thank you.
my mozzarella does not melt like that! ; ( lol… i am using cheap store brand, but what mozzarella melts like that?! looks so amazing. OR… am i doing something wrong.
Hahaha! I always use a block of mozzarella cheese and freshly grate it and it melts really nicely. If you by chance use the pre-shredded bagged cheese, it keeps its shape more often and doesn’t melt as easily. If you want it to really melt well, buy the fresh mozzarella ball and grate it. Hope that helps!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! We loved them! I used 80/20 ground beef and French bread. Made them for dinner, my husband and I give them a 10! Normally we buy pre-made meat balls and I can hardly eat them. These are so flavorful and tender. I will make them again and hopefully invite guests to enjoy
Has a total hit in our house! Made the meatballs with the large pampered chef scoop and doubled the meatball portion of the recipe with a combo of pork and beef. My family was in love!! Thank you!
Easy recipe even for this novice chef! I accidentally burnt the bread a little white it was in broiling since my husband distracted me, he loved it so much he even ate the burnt parts LOL. Thank you Melissa for this amazing recipe! Tonight we are trying the Spinach Artichoke Soup, wish me luck! Although I have a feeling I won’t need it =)