A Meatball Sub Sandwich is the ultimate comfort food—juicy, flavorful meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce, topped with gooey melted cheese, and served in a toasted hoagie roll. Whether you’re making this for a game day treat or a hearty dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Flavor: Juicy, well-seasoned meatballs with rich marinara sauce.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients, minimal prep, and ready in under 40 minutes.
- Perfectly Toasted: The hoagie roll gets a deliciously crispy bite when toasted.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make extra meatballs and freeze them for future subs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
For the Sandwich:
- 4 hoagie rolls (or sub rolls)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter (for toasting the bread)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Large skillet
- Baking sheet
- Saucepan
How to Make a Meatball Sub Sandwich
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef (or chicken), breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in size).
Step 2: Cook the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer for 10 minutes until fully cooked.
Step 4: Toast the Bread
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread butter on the inside of the hoagie rolls and toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly crispy.
Step 5: Assemble the Sub
- Spoon the meatballs and marinara sauce into the toasted rolls.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
- Place the subs back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.
What to Serve with a Meatball Sub
- A side of crispy fries or potato wedges
- A fresh garden salad
- Roasted veggies for a lighter option
Tips for the Best Meatball Sub
- Use fresh bread: Hoagie rolls or sub rolls hold up best to the sauce.
- Make extra meatballs: They freeze well and can be used for another meal.
- Don’t skip toasting the bread: It keeps the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Melt the cheese in the oven: This ensures a gooey, delicious texture.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs and sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Cooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm meatballs and sauce in a skillet, then assemble fresh sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought meatballs?
Yes! If you’re short on time, pre-made meatballs work just fine.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and hoagie rolls.
Can I use a different cheese?
Of course! Provolone, cheddar, or even pepper jack would be delicious.
Conclusion
This Meatball Sub Sandwich is a satisfying, cheesy, and saucy meal that will be a hit with your family. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, it’s an easy and delicious way to enjoy classic comfort food.
Don’t forget to leave a review and share your creations online!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 450 | Protein: 28g | Carbohydrates: 40g | Fat: 18g | Fiber: 3g | Sodium: 700mg

Meatball Sub Sandwich
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Description
A Meatball Sub Sandwich is the ultimate comfort food—juicy, flavorful meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce, topped with gooey melted cheese, and served in a toasted hoagie roll. Whether you’re making this for a game day treat or a hearty dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy!
Want more mouthwatering recipes like this? Subscribe now to get delicious meal ideas straight to your inbox!
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
For the Sandwich:
- 4 hoagie rolls (or sub rolls)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter (for toasting the bread)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef (or chicken), breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs (about 1 inch in size).
Step 2: Cook the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Return the meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer for 10 minutes until fully cooked.
Step 4: Toast the Bread
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread butter on the inside of the hoagie rolls and toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly crispy.
Step 5: Assemble the Sub
- Spoon the meatballs and marinara sauce into the toasted rolls.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top.
- Place the subs back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh bread: Hoagie rolls or sub rolls hold up best to the sauce.
- Make extra meatballs: They freeze well and can be used for another meal.
- Don’t skip toasting the bread: It keeps the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Melt the cheese in the oven: This ensures a gooey, delicious texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Cuisine: American