This Meatball Subs Recipe is perfect for game day, a quick dinner, or anytime you get a meatball craving. Make this sub-shop classic at home!

Shake up your dinner menu with this easy Meatball Sandwich. Use frozen meatballs when it’s a busy weeknight or my tasty homemade meatballs when time isn’t so tight. This is pure comfort food!

Easy Italian Meatball Subs on a white square plate on a checked napkin.

Why You Must Make

  • If you love meatballs, you’ll fall hard for this meatball sandwich topped with gooey, melted Provolone cheese.
  • The large meatballs flavored with Italian seasonings were tasty on their own, but they truly shined served on a brioche bun with a simple marinara and cheese. 
  • Perfect for a game-day meal around the TV, but easy enough for a delicious weeknight dinner!
Meatball Subs on a white plate with a bowl of buns in the background.

Expert Tips

Meatball subs are a super easy dinner recipe that your family will request again and again. Here are a few tips for making them.

  • For a lighter version, serve a mini version of these easy Italian meatball subs on small whole wheat rolls.
  • Look for those lobster roll brioche buns that are sliced from the top down instead of horizontally. But traditional hot dog buns work fine, too.
  • Mozzarella would be a delicious topper, as would any melty cheese you love. Feel free to put your cheese on first and let the hot meatballs do the melting for you.
  • You could definitely use ground dark-meat chicken or a meatloaf mix (beef, pork, and veal) to make your meatballs. Or even purchase already-made meatballs found in the frozen foods section of your market, though they may be smaller. Just pile on more!
  • You can use jarred marinara or homemade. If I make marinara, I like to make a double batch and freeze half for later. It’s great for Chicken Parmesan or Spaghetti Pie.
  • Instead of just topping your sub with marinara, you can also simmer the meatballs in marinara for an extra boost of flavor!
  • Leftover spaghetti sauce would also work in a pinch instead of marinara.
Meatball Sandwich on a white plate with gooey cheese topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you put on a Meatball Sub?

This version was topped with marinara and slices of Provolone Cheese. Mozzarella is another tasty option.

You can also add Alfredo sauce, Parmesan cheese, sliced red bell peppers, sliced onions, and even add fresh herbs like basil to the marinara or just sprinkle over the top.

What can you serve with this Meatball Subs Recipe?

Think of dishes you’d serve with hot dogs or hamburgers. Coleslaw, pasta salad, a tossed green salad, french fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or a fruit salad would all be delicious.

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Easy Italian Meatball Subs on a white square plate on a checked napkin

Easy Italian Meatball Subs

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Yield 8 servings

Cheese topped meatball subs are a deli classic you can make at home!

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 ½ pounds ground chuck
  • ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • 2 eggs, whisked slightly
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Sandwiches:

  • 8 sub rolls or hot dog buns
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 8 slices Provolone cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside (for easier cleanup).
  2. In a mixing bowl, add all the meatball ingredients. Mix gently with your hands till well combined.
  3. Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), scoop out rounds of meat and shape them into balls. Place on baking sheet.
  4. Bake for about 20 minutes or till cooked through.
  5. Warm marinara sauce and toast buns if desired. Add the meatballs to the warmed sauce.
  6. To make subs, spoon 3 meatballs and sauce onto buns. Top with cheese and return to oven for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

May also use frozen meatballs instead of homemade.

Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce if you have time before assembling the sandwiches. This will add more flavor to the marinara as well as keep the meatballs juicy.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 sandwich

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 430Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 938mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 35g

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