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Meatball Sub Sandwich Filling
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Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe: Classic Italian Comfort Food

Enjoy a homemade Italian meatball sub sandwich with juicy meatballs, tangy marinara, and melted cheese in a soft sub roll.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20
  • ¼ lb ground pork
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the Marinara Sauce:
  • 1 can 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ small onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp fresh basil chopped
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Sandwich:
  • 4 Italian sub rolls
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded provolone cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter melted (for toasting the bread)
  • Extra Parmesan cheese optional
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional

Method
 

For the Meatballs:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, soak breadcrumbs in milk for 10 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef, ground pork, egg, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Gently mix until just combined—do not overmix.
  5. Form into 1 ½-inch meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
For the Marinara Sauce:
  1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Sauté diced onion until soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in crushed San Marzano tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
  5. Simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf before using.
For Assembling the Sandwich:
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice the sub rolls and lightly brush the inside with melted butter.
  3. Toast the rolls in the oven for 5 minutes until slightly crispy.
  4. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on both sides of the bread.
  5. Place 4-6 meatballs in each roll and spoon more marinara sauce over them.
  6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese over the meatballs.
  7. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
  8. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
  9. Serve warm and enjoy!