Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially fresh ones. Whenever possible, I choose lean ground beef or a mix of beef and pork for depth of flavor. A good quality marinara sauce makes a huge difference — homemade is ideal, but a trusted jarred sauce works too when life gets busy. Fresh bread rolls that can hold all those glorious meatballs and sauce without falling apart are my go-to. I’m also a fan of adding fresh herbs like parsley to brighten the meatballs. These little touches make the difference between an ordinary sub and one that feels like a warm embrace.
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Italian seasoned or plain)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 4 hoagie rolls or sub buns
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined — overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the mixture into roughly 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them evenly on the baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until they’re cooked through and lightly browned.
- While the meatballs bake, warm your marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat to let the flavors meld.
- Once meatballs are done, transfer them to the sauce, gently stirring to coat each one.
- Slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise, leaving a hinge on one side to hold the filling.
- Fill each roll with meatballs and spoon over extra marinara sauce.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the subs on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Remove from oven, let cool for a minute, and serve warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Meatball Subs, recipe, cooking, food
