Description
Savor the Ultimate Beefy Meatball Sub Delight, a classic sandwich featuring succulent homemade beef meatballs simmered in rich marinara sauce, nestled in warm hoagie rolls, and generously topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty meal that combines comfort food with bold Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean/15% fat preferred)
- 1 egg
- 1 slice whole wheat bread (soaked in milk and squeezed)
- 1/4 cup minced yellow onion
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 tbsp fresh minced basil
- 1/2 tbsp fresh minced parsley
- 1/2–1 tsp kosher coarse or sea salt (to taste)
- 1/8–1/4 tsp black pepper (to taste)
For the Sandwich
- 3 hoagie rolls
- 12–15 beef meatballs (homemade, as above)
- 1–1.5 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1–1.5 cups thick shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, soaked and squeezed bread, minced onion, grated Parmesan, pressed garlic, minced basil, minced parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated but do not overwork the mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 12 to 15 uniform meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring they are compact but not tightly packed.
- Cook the Meatballs: In a skillet or frying pan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil and cook the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding. Brown them on all sides for about 7-8 minutes, turning frequently until nicely seared and cooked through. Alternatively, bake at 400°F (205°C) for about 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
- Simmer in Marinara Sauce: Transfer the cooked meatballs to a saucepan and pour in 1 to 1.5 cups of marinara sauce. Simmer gently on low heat for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and meatballs to absorb the sauce.
- Prepare the Hoagie Rolls: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through, creating a hinge. Optionally, toast lightly to add crunch and warmth.
- Assemble the Subs: Place 4 to 5 warm meatballs into each hoagie roll along with some marinara sauce. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, and dried oregano.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled subs on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese has melted and begun to bubble.
- Serve: Remove from oven carefully and serve the Ultimate Beefy Meatball Subs hot, optionally garnished with extra fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
- Using 85% lean ground beef ensures the meatballs are juicy but not too greasy.
- Soaking bread in milk and squeezing it helps keep the meatballs moist and tender.
- Feel free to use store-bought marinara for convenience, but homemade sauce enhances flavor.
- Meatballs can be baked or pan-fried depending on preference and convenience.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce or meatball mixture.
