Last Updated on September 2, 2025 by Barbara
Meatball Subs are a flavorful comfort food that is so easy to make. These homemade meatballs are simmered in a delicious marinara sauce, topped with cheese then toasted to perfection. They are great to enjoy on a busy weeknight or they can sit center table on game day.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Comfort Food Treat– Juicy meatballs, melted cheese, and warm, saucy bread combine to make a delicious comfort food treat.
- Very Flavorful – The combination of the seasoned ground beed and Italian sausage, cheeses and sauce produces a savory taste with every bite.
- Easy Meal Prep – Meatballs and sauce can be made a head of time and easy to assemble and serve when you are ready.
- Family Favorite – It’s a sure hit with kids and adults because they are so so satisfying.
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Ingredients for Meatball Sub
- Ground Beef and Mild Italian Sausage – Combining these creates rich, juicy meatballs with a balance of hearty beef flavor and seasoned, slightly spicy sausage.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds a fresh, herbaceous brightness that cuts through the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Italian Breadcrumbs – Help bind the meatballs while adding flavor and keeping them moist.
- Egg – Acts as a binder to hold the meatballs together during cooking.
- Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, and Salt – Season the meatballs with simple, classic flavors that bring everything together.
- Onion and Garlic – Sautéed together, they create a flavorful aromatic base for both the meatballs and the sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes and Tomato Paste – Provide a rich, hearty tomato sauce with depth and body.
- White Wine – Adds acidity and a touch of complexity to the sauce, balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Oregano – A signature Italian herb that adds a familiar, earthy flavor to the sauce.
- Olive Oil – Used for sautéing and flavor, it gives richness and a touch of fruitiness to the dish.
- Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese – Mozzarella melts beautifully for a gooey top, while Parmesan adds salty sharpness.
- Hoagie Rolls – Sturdy yet soft enough to soak up sauce, these rolls hold the meatballs, cheese, and sauce without falling apart.
Substitutions
Feel free to make these subs you own by substituting ingredients or adding to this delicious recipe. Some common substitutions include using a different bread rather than a hoagie roll. Ciabatta or Baguette work well with this recipe. If you prefer to not use ground beef or Italian sausage, you can swap it for ground turkey, ground chicken or plant based meatballs. Keep in mind any changes or substitutions will be different from the original recipe.
What You Will Need
Watch Me Make This Meatball Sub!
Instructions for Meatball Sub
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Add parsley, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg, then mix until all ingredients are well incorporated. Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
Step 2: Cook the Meatballs
Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them for 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Pour in the white wine, then add the black pepper, oregano, salt, and parsley. Stir well. Return the meatballs to the pan, cover, and let them simmer for 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 4: Assemble the Subs
Slice the hoagie rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Fill each roll with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Toast the Subs
Set the oven to broil. Place the subs on a wire rack and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious homemade Meatball Sub!
Serving Suggestions
Meatball subs are hearty and satisfying on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of simple sides to round out the meal. Serve them with a crisp green salad tossed in Italian vinaigrette to add a fresh, tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the sandwich. For something warm and comforting, consider classic sides like garlic breadsticks or a cup of minestrone soup—both are excellent companions that stay in the Italian flavor family.
If you’re serving meatball subs at a gathering or game day event, offer kettle-cooked chips or roasted potato wedges for an easy-to-serve option. You can also cut the subs into smaller portions and serve them as sliders or mini sandwiches on toasted dinner rolls, making them ideal for parties or potlucks. A simple pickle spear on the side adds a crunchy, zesty bite that complements the savory meatballs and gooey cheese.
What to Do With Leftover Meatballs
To store meatball subs in the refrigerator, it’s best to separate the components if possible. Store the meatballs and sauce together in an airtight container, and keep the bread and cheese separate to prevent sogginess. Refrigerated meatballs with sauce will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days, while bread is best consumed within 1–2 days or toasted before reuse. If you’ve already assembled the subs, wrap them tightly in foil or store in a covered container. Just be aware the bread may soften, so reheating in the oven is recommended to restore some texture.
For freezing, store meatballs and sauce together in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 2 months. It’s best not to freeze fully assembled subs, as the bread can become mushy when thawed. To reheat, thaw the meatballs overnight in the fridge (if frozen), then warm them in a saucepan over medium heat or in the microwave until hot. For assembled subs, wrap in foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted. If unassembled, toast the roll separately and add warmed meatballs and sauce just before serving.
FAQ for Meatball Subs
Yes! You can prepare and cook the meatballs in advance, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. Just reheat and assemble when ready to serve.
To prevent soggy bread, lightly toast the rolls before assembling the subs. You can also add a layer of cheese to the bottom of the roll before placing the meatballs, which acts as a barrier and helps maintain the bread’s texture.
Yes, this recipe is great with ground turkey, ground chicken or plant based options. Just be mindful that these substitutions will be different from the original recipe.
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The Best Meatball Sub Recipe
4
servings10
minutes25
minutes1280
kcal1
hour10
minutesHey, this is my recipe for Juicy beef and Italian sausage meatballs. These are simmered in a garlicky marinara sauce, tucked inside toasted hoagie rolls and blanketed with melty mozzarella cheese. An easy, make ahead Meatball Sub recipe perfect for busy weeknights or game day tailgating it is saucy, hearty and family approved!
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs
1 lb ground beef
1 lb mild Italian sausage
¼cup fresh parsley, chopped
½cup Italian breadcrumbs
½cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
- For the Sauce
¼cup onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 cup white wine
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp black pepper
½tsp salt
- Additional Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan cheese, grated
Hoagie rolls
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Add parsley, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg, then mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Heat 3 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown them for 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside.
- In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine.
- Pour in the white wine, then add the black pepper, oregano, salt, and parsley. Stir well.
- Return the meatballs to the pan, cover, and let them simmer for 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Slice the hoagie rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Fill each roll with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Set the oven to broil. Place the Meatball Subs on a wire rack and broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious homemade Meatball Sub!
Recipe Video
Notes
- If you prefer to not use ground beef or Italian sausage, you can swap it for ground turkey, ground chicken or plant based meatballs. Keep in mind any changes or substitutions will be different from the original recipe.
I’m Barbara, a dentist by day, a published cookbook author, and a passionate content creator by night. I’ve been sharing my love for authentic Soul Food, Southern and classic comfort food recipes for over a decade. My easy, family-friendly recipes, available as step-by-step guides on my blog and video tutorials on my YouTube channel, have been tested by millions of home cooks. My goal is to help you bring the delicious, time-honored dishes I’ve perfected to your family’s table.
