Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Looking for a quick and satisfying meal that the whole family will love? This Easy Weeknight Meatball Sub is the perfect answer! It features juicy meatballs in a savory marinara sauce, all tucked inside a soft, toasted sub roll. It’s the kind of dish that feels comforting but is still incredibly easy to make. With minimal prep time, you can have a delicious and hearty meal ready to enjoy in just under 30 minutes. Whether it’s for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or pork or turkey)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil for brushing
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 16 small meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the saucepan with the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Slice the sub rolls lengthwise but not all the way through, leaving a hinge.
- Brush the inside of the rolls with olive oil and toast them in the oven for 3-4 minutes until slightly crispy.
- Place four meatballs in each sub roll, spoon some marinara sauce over them, and top with shredded mozzarella.
- Put the assembled subs back in the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven, serve immediately, and enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Meatless Option: Use plant-based meatballs or make your own vegetarian meatballs using lentils or chickpeas.
- Cheese Swap: If mozzarella isn’t your favorite, feel free to substitute with provolone, cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Extra Veggies: Add some sautéed onions, peppers, or spinach to your meatball subs for an extra dose of veggies.
- Spicy Kick: For some heat, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce or use spicy Italian sausage in place of regular ground meat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover meatball subs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep the bread crisp and the cheese melted.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought meatballs for this recipe?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked store-bought meatballs to save time. Just heat them up in the marinara sauce before assembling the subs.
2. Can I freeze the meatballs for later use?
Absolutely! You can freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply simmer them in marinara sauce.
3. What type of bread is best for meatball subs?
Soft sub rolls or hoagie rolls work best for this recipe. They’re sturdy enough to hold the meatballs and sauce while still being soft and delicious.
4. Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the meatballs a day in advance. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake or simmer them in the sauce.
5. Can I use a different type of ground meat?
Yes! Feel free to substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for the ground beef for a lighter version.
6. How can I make the subs extra cheesy?
For an even cheesier version, add extra layers of cheese in between the meatballs or top with both mozzarella and Parmesan.
7. How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Brushing the inside of the rolls with olive oil and toasting them in the oven helps prevent them from becoming soggy from the sauce.
8. Can I use a different sauce besides marinara?
Yes! You could try using Alfredo sauce or a spicy arrabbiata sauce for a different flavor profile.
9. How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and sub in gluten-free rolls to make this recipe gluten-free.
10. Can I make a larger batch?
Yes, simply double or triple the ingredients to serve more people. The recipe can easily be scaled up.
Conclusion
This Easy Weeknight Meatball Sub is a delicious and quick dinner option that the whole family will love. It’s packed with flavor, customizable to your tastes, and simple enough to make on a busy weeknight. With juicy meatballs, melty cheese, and a flavorful marinara sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food served in a sub roll. Try it out next time you’re craving something hearty and satisfying, and enjoy every bite!
Print
Easy Weeknight Meatball Sub
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Looking for a quick and satisfying meal? This Easy Weeknight Meatball Sub is perfect for busy evenings! Juicy meatballs, savory marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella all tucked inside a soft toasted sub roll. It’s a comforting yet simple meal ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for busy families.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or pork or turkey)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 16 small meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs bake, heat marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Slice the sub rolls lengthwise but not all the way through, leaving a hinge. Brush the inside with olive oil and toast in the oven for 3-4 minutes.
- Place 4 meatballs in each roll, spoon marinara sauce over them, and top with mozzarella.
- Return the subs to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Meatless Option: Use plant-based meatballs or vegetarian options like lentils or chickpeas.
- Cheese Swap: Substitute mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or Italian cheese blends.
- Extra Veggies: Add sautéed onions, peppers, or spinach for extra flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes or spicy sausage for some heat.
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