Description
Zesty Italian meatball subs bring comfort and flavor to your dinner table with hearty, hand-crafted goodness. Melted cheese, marinara sauce, and perfectly seasoned meatballs create an irresistible sandwich you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
- Mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Gently shape the meat mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 12-16 in total, ensuring they are compact but not overly dense.
- Arrange meatballs on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each to promote even browning and cooking.
- Roast meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through to ensure consistent golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
- Simultaneously, warm marinara sauce in a separate saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Transfer the baked meatballs directly into the heated marinara sauce, coating each thoroughly and allowing them to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Split sub rolls lengthwise and lightly toast them in the oven until edges become crisp and golden.
- Carefully spoon sauced meatballs into prepared sub rolls, ensuring an even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the meatballs, covering the entire surface.
- Return assembled subs to the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese melts completely and develops a bubbly, slightly browned surface.
Notes
- Customize meatball size for consistent cooking, making smaller or larger depending on preference while maintaining even thickness.
- Use lean ground meat like turkey or chicken for a healthier version, which reduces overall fat content without sacrificing flavor.
- Add extra herbs like fresh basil or parsley to the meatball mixture for enhanced aromatics and a brighter taste profile.
- Prevent soggy bread by toasting sub rolls lightly before adding meatballs, creating a protective barrier that keeps the bread crisp and structured.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg