Meatball Subs are the ultimate game day favorite but also a perfect weeknight dinner.
Like many popular dishes in the United States, the meatball sub is the product of Italian immigrants in the early twentieth century. While meatballs themselves have direct ties to the Old Country, the meatball sub is an American gem. Along with PB&J and hotdogs topped with relish and mustard, Americans have long loved their handhelds and the meatball sub is a perfect example of one. Thanks to the hearty meatballs, it’s also a fairly hearty sandwich. While my teens can polish off a couple of PB&Js or hotdogs in one sitting, a single meatball sub is a filling, hearty entrée!
While you can get a meatball sub at a variety of restaurants – anywhere from a chain like Subway to an authentic East Coast deli that has been dishing up meatball subs for decades, they are a great scratch-made option as well. In addition to earning you some street cred with Italian nonnas, making your own meatballs is something you can do ahead of time and freeze – so serving meatball subs is doable even on a weeknight.
Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a gathering to watch the big game, meatball subs deliver. We love the flavorful, soft meatballs covered in tasty marinara sauce and nestled in a toasted hoagie roll. Plus, there’s cheese! Melted mozzarella tops this combo of meat, sauce and bread for the golden touch. Add a little fresh basil or sliced banana peppers for presentation and zing, and you’ve got an impressive sandwich.
Rockin’ the Roll: Hoagie Rolls
So what’s in a roll? Well, for starters, it’s a crucial part of a meatball sub’s structure. The roll is key to ensuring the meatballs stay in place. You definitely don’t want a meatball springing loose from your sandwich! A hoagie roll is the answer. Hoagie rolls are a bit harder than your typical sub buns, and once toasted, they create the perfect cradle for the saucy meatballs. Depending on where you live, you may know them by a different name: grinder, hero, or even torpedo rolls are all similar. Avoid any really soft split rolls or buns – if you can’t find hoagie rolls, go for any harder roll that you can split and fill with the meatballs.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
You can definitely make the meatballs ahead of time for meatball subs. After baking, let them cool. Refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them overnight in the fridge before using them in the meatball subs. If you have leftovers, keep the meatball and sauce filling separate from the rolls; otherwise, things will get soggy. Refrigerate the filling for up to 4-5 days or freeze it for up to a month.
Serving Suggestions
For a weeknight dinner, try meatball subs with sides like Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing and some thin and crispy potato chips. In addition, for a cold winter night, you can also serve a creamy, hearty side like Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese. Alternatively, if you’re laying out a big game day spread, meatball subs can be the star of the show with classic snacks like chips and Homemade Salsa or pita with Creamy Spinach Dip.
Meatball Sub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, heat marinara sauce over medium heat. Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Slice hoagie rolls in half lengthwise and spread butter on the cut sides. Toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
- Place meatballs and sauce on the bottom half of each hoagie roll. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Broil the assembled subs for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot with extra marinara sauce if desired.
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