Cheesy Meatball Subs: The Ultimate Loaded Sandwich

These Cheesy Meatball Subs combine tender homemade meatballs, rich marinara sauce, toasted bread, and plenty of melted mozzarella for a hearty sandwich that is perfect for lunch or dinner. The meatballs can be prepared ahead of time, making this recipe especially convenient when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 large egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the subs

• 4 sub rolls
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Fresh parsley, for serving

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Combine the ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined, then shape the mixture into approximately 16 meatballs. Place them on a lined baking sheet and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.

Transfer the cooked meatballs to a saucepan containing the marinara sauce and simmer gently for 5–10 minutes. This allows the meatballs to absorb some of the sauce while keeping them juicy. Meanwhile, slice the sub rolls and lightly toast them in the oven for a few minutes.

Place several meatballs inside each toasted roll and spoon over plenty of marinara sauce. Cover generously with mozzarella and Parmesan, then return the sandwiches to the oven for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.

Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. For an even crispier sandwich, toast the inside of the rolls before adding the meatballs and sauce. The combination of juicy meatballs, rich tomato sauce, crunchy toasted bread, and melted cheese makes these subs a classic comfort-food dinner that the whole family can enjoy.