Meatball Sub Recipe
Last Updated on February 14, 2026 by Barbara
There’s something about a meatball sub that feels like a warm hug on a toasted roll. To me, it’s the ultimate comfort food (bold, messy, and deeply satisfying). I start with my own homemade meatballs, letting them simmer in a rich marinara sauce. I then tuck those meatballs into a split roll and cover them with a layer of cheese. Next, I toast the whole thing until it’s bubbling and golden. These are a lifesaver on a busy weeknight, but hearty enough to hold down the the table for a weekend family gathering. They’re simple, but it’s soulful cooking that turns them into a meal everyone will love.
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 beef, Italian sausage, cheeses and sauce produces a comforting taste with every bite.
- Easy Meal Prep – Meatballs and the sauce can be made ahead of time. They are easy to assemble and serve.
- Family Favorite – They are a sure hit with both kids and adults.
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Ingredients for Meatball Sub
- Ground Beef and Mild Italian Sausage – Combining these yields rich, juicy meatballs with a balance of hearty flavors.
- Fresh Parsley – Adds a fresh brightness that cuts through the richness of the meat and dairy.
- Italian Breadcrumbs – Help bind the meatballs while adding flavor and keeping them moist.
- Egg – Acts as a binder and holds the meatballs together during cooking.
- Garlic Powder, Black Pepper, and Salt – “The Classic Trio” that bring everything together.
- Onion and Garlic – Sautéed together, they create a flavorful aromatic base for 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 while balancing the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Oregano – A signature Italian herb that adds a familiar earthy flavor.
- 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 the sauce. These rolls can 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. If you prefer avoid using ground beef or Italian sausage, you can swap them for ground turkey, ground chicken or plant based meatballs. Keep in mind with any changes or substitutions, the results will be different than the original recipe.
What You Will Need
Watch Me Make This Meatball Sub! (Video Tutorial)
Instructions for Meatball Sub
Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix well. Add the 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. 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 option. You can also cut the subs into smaller portions and serve them as sliders making them ideal for parties or potlucks. A simple pickle spear on the side adds a crunchy bite that complements the meatballs well.
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 days, while bread is best consumed within 1–2 days and toasted before reuse. If you have 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, 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.
I use Hoagie Rolls. 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 with these substitutions the results will be different from the original recipe.
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The Best Meatball Sub Recipe
Ingredients
- 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
- 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Hoagie rolls
Method
- 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!
