Meatball Marinara Sub Sandwich (Print)

Toasted sub with flavorful meatballs, marinara, and cheese becomes a hearty main perfect for any meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Meatballs

01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
02 - 0.55 pounds ground pork
03 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 cup milk

→ Sauce

11 - 2 cups marinara sauce
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

→ Sandwich

14 - 4 sub rolls (about 8 inches each)
15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
17 - Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, egg, salt, pepper, and milk. Mix gently to incorporate; avoid overmixing.
03 - Form the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Transfer meatballs to oven and bake for 18–20 minutes until fully cooked and browned.
05 - While meatballs bake, warm marinara sauce in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in oregano and basil.
06 - Add baked meatballs to sauce and simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, turning carefully to coat all sides.
07 - Slice each roll lengthwise without cutting through completely. Brush inside surfaces with butter and toast under broiler or in a skillet until golden brown.
08 - Place 4 meatballs coated in sauce into each roll. Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
09 - Broil assembled subs for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Top with fresh basil if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry staples so you can make it any weeknight
  • Satisfies every comfort food craving in one hearty sandwich
  • Freezes beautifully to stash extras for busy days
  • Feeds a crowd without fuss or fancy equipment
02 -
  • Packed with protein and enough to fuel you till dinner
  • A great choice for meal prep just cool and freeze the meatballs in sauce
  • You can tailor the heat and herbs to suit your tastes
  • The Parmesan cheese always stands out to me Its salty bite is what makes these meatballs craveworthy and when my nephew first helped me roll the meatballs everyone agreed his hands gave them the perfect rustic shape We still talk about how the kitchen smelled that afternoon
03 -
  • To keep things mess free when assembling stand your subs upright in a loaf pan or baking dish to catch all the sauce and cheese
  • Try mixing leftover meatballs and sauce with cooked pasta or stuffing bell peppers the next day Never skip toasting the rolls It is the secret to the whole sub holding together and staying crisp from first bite to last

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