Description
This classic Meatball Sub recipe delivers warm, flavorful Italian meatballs nestled in soft hoagie rolls, topped with rich marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and a sprinkle of parmesan and oregano. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe features homemade meatballs made with a blend of ground beef and pork, seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, seared and baked to juicy perfection before assembling and baking the subs to gooey, cheesy goodness.
Ingredients
For Meatballs
- 1/2 lb ground beef (85%/15% preferably)
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 thin slice whole wheat bread soaked in milk (squeezed)
- 1/4 cup minced yellow onion
- 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves (pressed)
- 1 tbsp fresh minced basil
- 1/2 tbsp fresh minced parsley
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher coarse or sea salt (to taste)
- 1/8-1/4 tsp black pepper (to taste)
Sauce and Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups Marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought, for cooking meatballs)
- 3 deli hoagie rolls
- 1/2 cup Marinara sauce (additional for spreading on rolls)
- 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese (for sprinkling on rolls)
- 1 1/2 cups thick shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil (for searing meatballs)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, egg, minced yellow onion, Parmesan cheese, pressed garlic, fresh basil, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Squeeze the soaked bread to remove excess milk, break it into pieces, and add it to the bowl. Mix all ingredients thoroughly but quickly to avoid overworking the meat.
- Shape the Meatballs: Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Using a cookie scoop (#40 size or slightly larger), portion the mixture into approximately 1-inch diameter meatballs. Roll them quickly into balls and place them evenly on a parchment-lined tray.
- Preheat and Prepare for Cooking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heat a large, oven-safe pan over medium to medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive or avocado oil.
- Sear the Meatballs: Place all the meatballs in the hot pan and sear them for a few minutes on one side until browned. Flip the meatballs carefully and sear the other side briefly.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Pour 1 1/2 cups of marinara sauce over the seared meatballs in the pan, then transfer the pan to the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through, adjusting time based on the size of the meatballs.
- Prepare Hoagie Rolls: Slice each hoagie roll lengthwise on the top, keeping the bottom intact. Place the rolls side by side in a lightly greased baking dish or rimmed baking sheet.
- Assemble the Subs: Spread about 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce inside the bottom of each hoagie roll. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce. Arrange 4-5 meatballs inside each roll depending on roll and meatball size.
- Add Cheese and Oregano: Generously top the meatballs with shredded mozzarella cheese and sprinkle dried oregano evenly over each sub.
- Bake the Subs: Place the assembled subs in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. If the meatballs and sauce are cold from storage, add an additional 5 minutes to the baking time.
Notes
- Using a cookie scoop helps to keep meatballs uniform in size and ensures even cooking.
- Adjust the baking time if you choose to make larger or smaller meatballs.
- If using store-bought marinara sauce, feel free to enhance it with fresh herbs for more flavor.
- Make sure the pan is oven-safe before transferring it with the meatballs to the oven.
- Let subs rest a few minutes after baking for easier handling and better flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
