Imagine biting into a warm, crusty hoagie roll, filled with tender, flavorful meatballs coated in a rich pasta sauce, all topped with melted provolone cheese. This easy meatball sub recipe is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner that will delight your taste buds and become a family favorite.
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are common pantry staples, but you may need to pick up some hoagie rolls and provolone cheese if they're not already in your kitchen. Seasoned bread crumbs and Italian seasoning are also essential for adding flavor to the meatballs, so make sure to grab those if you don't have them on hand.
Ingredients for Easy Meatball Subs
Pasta sauce: A rich and flavorful tomato-based sauce that will coat the meatballs and add deliciousness to the subs.
Hoagie rolls: These long sandwich rolls are perfect for holding the meatballs and all the tasty toppings.
Garlic butter: Spread inside the rolls for an extra burst of flavor and richness.
Provolone cheese: A mild, creamy cheese that melts beautifully over the meatballs.
Lean ground beef: The base for the meatballs, providing protein and a hearty texture.
Egg: Helps bind the meatball mixture together.
Seasoned bread crumbs: Adds flavor and helps to keep the meatballs tender.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the flavor of the meatballs.
Onion powder: Adds a subtle, savory element to the meatball mixture.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the meatballs.
One reader, Alfred German says:
This easy meatball subs recipe is fantastic! The meatballs are flavorful and tender, and the garlic butter adds a delicious touch. The melted provolone cheese on top is the perfect finishing touch. A quick and satisfying meal that my whole family loved!
Techniques Required for Making Easy Meatball Subs
How to combine ingredients: Mix the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. How to roll meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands. How to bake meatballs: Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until cooked through. How to simmer meatballs in sauce: Place the cooked meatballs in a saucepan with pasta sauce and allow them to simmer covered for 10 minutes. How to spread garlic butter: Evenly spread the garlic butter inside each hoagie roll. How to broil rolls: Heat the broiler and broil the rolls for 3 minutes, until golden. How to assemble meatball subs: Arrange the rolls in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, place 4 meatballs in each roll, top with some sauce and provolone cheese, and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has melted.
How To Make Easy Meatball Subs
Assemble your own meatball subs at home with our easy-to-follow recipe! It’s simple, but loaded with tons of delectable flavors for a filling sub sandwich.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2cupspasta sauce,or marinara sauce
- 4hoagie rolls
- 4tbspgarlic butter
- 1cupprovolone cheese,or mozzarella cheese, shredded
For Meatballs:
- 1lblean ground beef
- 1egg
- ½cupseasoned bread crumbs
- ½tspItalian seasoning
- ½tsponion powder
- salt and pepper,to taste
Instructions
Meatballs:
-
Combine the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
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Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, then place then on a parchment lined pan.
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Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
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Place the cooked meatballs in a saucepan with pasta sauce, then allow to simmer covered for 10 minutes.
Assemble Meatball Sub:
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Spread the garlic butter inside each roll.
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Heat the broiler, then broil the rolls for 3 minutes, until golden.
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Arrange the rolls in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
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Place 4 meatballs in each roll, then top with some sauce and provolone cheese.
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Broil the rolls for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
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Serve with additional sauce for dipping, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 748.36kcal
- Fat: 48.35g
- Saturated Fat: 22.63g
- Trans Fat: 1.81g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 17.24g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.76g
- Carbohydrates: 40.52g
- Fiber: 4.56g
- Sugar: 8.48g
- Protein: 36.47g
- Cholesterol: 176.44mg
- Sodium: 1251.27mg
- Calcium: 382.48mg
- Potassium: 878.96mg
- Iron: 5.54mg
- Vitamin A: 240.83µg
- Vitamin C: 2.77mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Easy Meatball Subs
When making the meatballs, ensure you don't overmix the ground beef mixture. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense and tough. Gently combine the ingredients until just mixed for a tender and juicy result.
Time-Saving Tips for Quick and Easy Meatball Subs
Prepare ingredients ahead: Mix the meatball mixture and form the meatballs the night before. Store them in the fridge until ready to bake.
Use store-bought sauce: Opt for a quality pasta sauce to save time on making your own.
Pre-slice rolls: Slice the hoagie rolls and spread with garlic butter in advance, so they are ready to broil.
Batch cooking: Double the meatball recipe and freeze half for a quick meal next time.
Melt cheese quickly: Use a microwave to melt the provolone cheese on the meatball subs if you're in a hurry.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Meatball Subs Recipe
pasta sauce - Substitute with marinara sauce: Marinara sauce offers a similar tomato base and flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement.
hoagie rolls - Substitute with baguette: A baguette has a similar texture and can hold the meatballs and sauce well.
garlic butter - Substitute with garlic olive oil: Garlic olive oil provides a similar garlic flavor and can be brushed on the bread for a tasty alternative.
provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the meatballs and sauce.
lean ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can be seasoned similarly to ground beef.
egg - Substitute with flax egg: A flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) can bind the meatballs together for a vegan alternative.
seasoned bread crumbs - Substitute with crushed crackers: Crushed crackers can provide a similar texture and can be seasoned to match the flavor of bread crumbs.
italian seasoning - Substitute with herbes de Provence: Herbes de Provence offers a similar blend of herbs that can enhance the flavor of the meatballs.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped onions: Finely chopped onions can provide a fresh onion flavor and texture.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the meatballs.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice to the meatballs.
Presentation Tips for Mouthwatering Meatball Subs
Serve smaller portion sizes: Slice the hoagie rolls into smaller, more manageable pieces to create bite-sized meatball subs. This allows for a refined presentation and easier consumption.
Use decoration: Garnish the plate with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add a touch of elegance and color contrast.
Layer flavors: Place a thin layer of pasta sauce on the plate before setting the meatball subs on top. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures every bite is flavorful.
Highlight the cheese: Melt the provolone cheese to a perfect golden brown and allow it to slightly drip over the sides of the hoagie rolls. This creates an inviting and appetizing look.
Use high-quality ingredients: Opt for freshly baked hoagie rolls, homemade garlic butter, and freshly grated provolone cheese to elevate the overall taste and presentation.
Add texture: Toast the hoagie rolls to a crisp golden brown under the broiler, ensuring a delightful crunch that contrasts with the tender meatballs and gooey cheese.
Serve with a side: Accompany the meatball subs with a small bowl of additional pasta sauce for dipping, presented in a stylish ramekin to enhance the dining experience.
Use elegant plating: Arrange the meatball subs on a sleek, modern plate with ample negative space to draw attention to the dish and create a sophisticated look.
Incorporate fresh herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped parsley or basil over the top of the meatball subs for a burst of freshness and a pop of green color.
Balance the presentation: Ensure that each meatball sub is evenly spaced on the plate, creating a balanced and harmonious presentation that is pleasing to the eye.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Meatball Subs
Large mixing bowl: To combine the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Parchment paper: To line the baking pan for the meatballs, ensuring they don't stick and are easy to remove.
Baking pan: To place the rolled meatballs on for baking in the oven.
Oven: To bake the meatballs at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are cooked through.
Saucepan: To simmer the cooked meatballs in pasta sauce.
Broiler: To broil the garlic buttered rolls until they are golden and to melt the provolone cheese on the assembled subs.
9 x 13-inch baking dish: To arrange the broiled rolls for assembling the meatball subs.
Spatula: To spread the garlic butter inside each roll.
Measuring cups: To measure out the pasta sauce and other ingredients accurately.
Measuring spoons: To measure out the Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Knife: To cut the hoagie rolls if necessary.
Cutting board: To provide a surface for cutting the hoagie rolls.
Serving dish: To serve the meatball subs with additional sauce for dipping.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Meatball Subs
- Allow the meatball subs to cool completely before storing or freezing
- To store in the refrigerator, wrap each sub tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container
- Properly stored, the subs will last for up to 3-4 days in the fridge
- For longer storage, freeze the meatball subs
- Wrap each sub individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy reference
- Frozen meatball subs will maintain their best quality for about 2-3 months
- To reheat refrigerated subs, unwrap them and place them on a baking sheet
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through
- For frozen subs, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight
- Once thawed, reheat them in the oven as mentioned above
- Alternatively, you can reheat the subs in the microwave
- Place the unwrapped sub on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through
- Note: Microwaving may result in a softer roll compared to oven reheating
How To Reheat Leftover Meatball Subs
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover meatball subs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Brush the tops of the rolls with a little garlic butter or olive oil to help them crisp up. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the subs are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For a quicker option, use your microwave. Place the meatball sub on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 1-2 minutes, or until it's heated through. If the sub feels a bit soggy after microwaving, you can place it under the broiler for a minute or two to crisp up the bread.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your meatball sub and get a crispy exterior. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the sub in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until it's heated through and the bread is crispy.
For a stovetop method, wrap the meatball sub in aluminum foil and place it in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping the sub occasionally, until it's heated through. Unwrap the foil for the last minute or two of cooking to allow the bread to crisp up.
If you want to reheat just the meatballs and sauce separately, place them in a saucepan over medium heat and stir occasionally until they're heated through. Toast the sub roll under the broiler for a minute or two, then assemble the sub with the heated meatballs and sauce, and top with fresh provolone cheese.
Interesting Trivia About Meatball Subs
A fun fact about this meatball sub recipe is that the use of garlic butter to broil the hoagie rolls adds an extra layer of flavor and crispiness, making the sandwich even more delicious.
Is Making Meatball Subs at Home Cost-Effective?
This easy meatball subs recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like ground beef, hoagie rolls, and pasta sauce are relatively affordable. Additionally, items like seasoned bread crumbs and provolone cheese are budget-friendly and often found in most kitchens. The use of garlic butter adds a gourmet touch without breaking the bank. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost in USD for a household of 4 people: $15-$20.
Are Easy Meatball Subs Healthy or Unhealthy?
The meatball sub recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy due to several factors:
- High in saturated fat: The recipe uses ground beef and provolone cheese, both of which are high in saturated fat. Consuming too much saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease and other health issues.
- Refined carbohydrates: The hoagie rolls used in the recipe are likely made from refined flour, which lacks fiber and nutrients compared to whole grain options.
- High in sodium: The pasta sauce, seasoned bread crumbs, and added salt contribute to a high sodium content, which can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems when consumed in excess.
- Lack of vegetables: The recipe does not include any vegetables, missing out on essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to reduce the saturated fat content
- Opt for whole grain hoagie rolls to increase the fiber and nutrient content
- Reduce the amount of cheese used or choose a lower-fat cheese option, such as part-skim mozzarella
- Incorporate vegetables into the recipe, such as sautéed onions, bell peppers, or spinach, to boost the nutritional value
- Make your own pasta sauce using fresh tomatoes and herbs to control the sodium content
- Use a smaller amount of garlic butter or replace it with a healthier spread, such as hummus or avocado
Editor's Opinion on This Delicious Meatball Sub Recipe
This easy meatball sub recipe is a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. The seasoned meatballs, baked to perfection, pair wonderfully with the rich pasta sauce. The garlic butter adds a savory touch to the hoagie rolls, which are perfectly toasted under the broiler. Topping it all off with provolone cheese creates a melty, satisfying finish. Serving with extra sauce for dipping is a thoughtful touch, ensuring every bite is as delicious as the last. Overall, it's a well-balanced, crowd-pleasing dish that's both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying.
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Why trust this Easy Meatball Subs Recipe:
This recipe is a surefire hit because it combines the rich flavors of homemade meatballs with the convenience of hoagie rolls. The garlic butter adds a savory touch, while the provolone cheese melts perfectly for a gooey finish. With easy-to-follow steps and common ingredients like pasta sauce and seasoned bread crumbs, this dish is both simple and delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, these meatball subs are sure to impress.
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