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Delicious cheesy meatball subs with melted mozzarella and marinara sauce

Classic Cheesy Meatball Subs

These Classic Cheesy Meatball Subs feature tender, flavorful meatballs simmered in rich marinara, piled high on toasted submarine rolls, and melted under a blanket of mozzarella cheese. They are perfect for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 subs
Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • large skillet or Dutch oven
  • baking sheet

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 lean is ideal for flavor and moisture
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs Panko or Italian seasoned
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sub Assembly

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
  • 24 oz marinara sauce your favorite brand or homemade
  • 4-6 submarine rolls or hoagie buns
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese provolone or a blend works too!
  • extra Parmesan for serving
  • dried oregano a sprinkle of

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meatballs

  • Gently combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl, mixing lightly. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.

Sear the Meatballs

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.

Simmer in Sauce

  • Pour marinara sauce into the same skillet and bring to a simmer. Add seared meatballs, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes until tender.

Prepare the Rolls

  • Preheat broiler and slice submarine rolls lengthwise without cutting through. Optionally, lightly toast the rolls under the broiler for a minute or two.

Assemble the Subs

  • Open each roll and spoon in a generous portion of meatballs and sauce. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Broil to Perfection

  • Place assembled subs on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Serve Hot

  • Carefully remove from oven. Garnish with extra Parmesan or dried oregano if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce. To make meal prep easier, you can prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat and assemble when ready to serve.