Meatball Sub Sandwich | The Modern Proper

Skip to Content menu Home Recipes About Cookbook Newsletter Join Our Substack Go to Homepage

• Follow TMP on Instagram
• Follow TMP on Pinterest
• Follow TMP on Facebook
• Follow TMP on TikTok

Join our Substack ×

• The Modern Proper ≻
• Recipes ≻
• Dinner

(7) Meatball Sub Sandwich

Updated May 27, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

Saucy and cheesy, this easy meatball sub recipe is loaded with tender homemade Italian meatballs, and is our favorite way to feed a crowd. Categories

• Spring
• Fall
• Winter
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Kid Friendly

Photography by Gayle McLeod Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Share this recipe on Pinterest

Is there anything better than a toasty, hot, messy meatball sub sandwich? A great meatball sub sandwich begins with great meatballs of course! And while we’ve made more than our share of meatballs in our lives, our love for meatballs began right here. With classic Italian Meatballs, seasoned perfectly and mixed with a light hand. Then, take those tender juicy meatballs and simmer them in tomato sauce (this can be Homemade Marinara Sauce, or store bought), stuff them into garlicky hoagie rolls, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil to melty perfection. This cozy comfort meal is one we especially love to serve when we’ve got a crowd to feed. If you can make homemade meatballs (and you can, they’re easy) this sub sandwich recipe will be a breeze. For more of our go-to meatball ideas, check out all our favorite Meatball Recipes! 

Italian Meatball Ingredients

Nothing unexpected here—just 100% classic meatball ingredients, and zero nonsense. In addition to the usual salt and pepper, here’s what you’ll need to make meatballs for your meatball sub:

• The meat mixture: Ground beef (we like the richness of a classic 80/20 blend), and ground mild Italian sausage. You could do all beef, if you prefer. 
• Seasonings: Fresh garlic and parsley are all these simple meatballs need. 
• Italian-style breadcrumbs: These are the kind that come with herbs like parsley and oregano mixed into them.
• Egg: The egg and breadcrumbs work together to help the meatballs hold their shape. 
• Parmesan cheese: Because it’s salty and full of umami. And Italian! 

Tips for The Best Meatball Subs

• Mix the meat with your hands: To have meatballs that are moist and juicy, you must mix the meat by hand. Why? Because if you overmix the meatball mixture it can get tough.
• Keep a little bowl of water next to you as you roll. Why? Keeping your hands damp will help keep the meat mixture from sticking to your hand as you roll the meatballs.
• Roll the meatballs with a light touch. Keep that tenderness going even when you measure and roll the meatballs.
• Shred the mozzarella yourself (annoying, we know) because it will melt better than pre-shredded mozzarella cheese. The grating attachment for your food processor makes it pretty easy to do!
• You could make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them to have meatball subs (or heck, even Spaghetti and Meatballs) nearly anytime the craving strikes! Simply spread uncooked meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for an hour, then transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer bag. Label, and store them for up to 3 months.

How To Make Meatball Subs

1. Make the meatballs. Get the kids to help roll! It’s fun and really easy—especially if you’re not a stickler for a perfectly formed meatball.
2. Cook the meatballs! Simmer the meatballs in tomato sauce for about 20 minutes.
3. Prep the submarine rolls with a little brush of olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder.
4. Assemble the meatball subs! Those saucy homemade meatballs go right into the garlicky buns. About 4 meatballs should fit into each roll.
5. It’s cheese time! Top with mozzarella, and broil until the cheese is melty. 

What To Serve With Meatball Subs

Is a meatball sandwich a meal that needs sides? Well, in fairness, it could use some veggies, or a big salad. Try serving it with:

• Simple Italian Salad
• Perfectly Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan
• Mediterranean Wedge Salad

More Hot & Toasty Sandwiches

• Beer Brats Simple, delicious brats take on subtle notes of beer and then are charred on the grill. Up your ballpark hotdog game for these homestyle beer brats.
• French Dip Sandwich Get some good, crusty bread, thinly-sliced beef, Gruyère cheese, melt it all happily together and viola! You’ve got yourself a legit French dip, ready for a dunk in luscious au jus broth.
• Reuben Sandwich For us, reuben sandwiches immediately conjure deli counters, soda pop, a healthy side of potato–in chip or salad form, depending on your mood–and a crunchy pickle. Here’s how to bring all that home.
• Philly Cheesesteak Toasty bun, caramelized onions and thinly sliced beef already sounds like the perfect sandwich, but please don’t forget the melted provolone when you make these Philly cheesesteaks.

Meatballs & More!

For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper, and we’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!

Our Signature Recipes

💌 FREE EMAIL BONUS: Go-to favorites from our kitchen to yours!

Join Our Newsletter Follow Us Follow TMP on Instagram Follow TMP on Pinterest Follow TMP on Facebook Follow TMP on TikTok (7)

Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe

Updated May 27, 2025

By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

• Serves: 6
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Calories: 759

Description

Saucy and cheesy, this easy meatball sub recipe is loaded with tender homemade Italian meatballs, and is our favorite way to feed a crowd. Print Recipe Pin Recipe

💌 Send yourself this recipe

Enter your email and we'll send Meatball Sub Sandwich right to your inbox.

Send

Ingredients

• 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
• ½ pound ground mild Italian sausage
• ⅓ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
• 6 hoagie rolls, sliced
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or salted butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method

1. In a large bowl combine the beef, sausage, parsley, garlic, bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then with wet hands, form golf ball–size balls (about 2 tablespoons each). You should have 24 meatballs.

   

2. To a large saucepan, add the marinara and meatballs. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, uncover and cook until the meatballs register 165°F on an instant read thermometer, about 10 more minutes. 

   

3. Meanwhile, brush the inside of the hoagie rolls with the olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.

   

4. Turn the oven broiler to HIGH. Arrange hoagie rolls in a 9x13 baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Add 4 meatballs to each roll. Top the meatballs with the mozzarella, dividing evenly. 

   

5. Broil until the cheese is melted and the rolls are beginning to brown. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve warm. 

   

Related Recipes

Nutrition Info

• Per Serving
• Amount

• Calories 759
• Protein 46 g
• Carbohydrates 51 g
• Total Fat 41 g
• Dietary Fiber 3 g
• Cholesterol 143 mg
• Sodium 1192 mg
• Total Sugars 7 g

Scroll to Top

Meatball Sub Sandwich

Questions & Reviews

Rated 5 stars by 7 readers

Ask a Question or Write a Review Name* Email* Comment Rating 5 4 3 2 1 Submit

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Questions 3 Reviews 7 Avg: 5 / 5

• Kathy

  In this meatball sub recipe, are the meatballs cooked raw in the sauce for just 20 minutes or so?

  Correct! just make sure they are cooked through to an internal temp of 165F. Hope you enjoy!

• Cary

  Hi. Can I dice up onion and add to the mixture? And also can I use already minced garlic thats in olive oil? Thank you! ☺

  sure and sure! hope you enjoy!

• Ashley

  I have a beef allergy. Can this just be made with Italian sausage? Or substitute the beef with Lamb?

  sure! either would be fine.

• NERI

  5-star rating

  I now make these meatballs for spaghetti and is always what my husband wants for dinner!

  YAY! Love to hear that, thanks for sharing Neri!

• Stacey

  5-star rating

  I loved all the ingredients! It was a big hit with the family. I cooked the meatballs on a frying pan and blotted them before adding the to the Marina sauce. Then simmered them. They turned out great!

  So glad you and your family enjoyed this, Stacey!

• Eva

  5-star rating

  Terrific dinner on a cold night! My seven-year-old loved squishing the ingredients together, and I was impressed as to how fast it all came together! We used 2lb of meat total (1 lb 85% lean ground beef, and 1 lb mild Italian sausage), so we added a second egg. Ended up with 34 meatballs so we will save some to put atop spaghetti later in the week. Thanks!

  Thanks Eva! We are so happy everyone loved it and it's so fun when kids get in on the prepping and cooking!

• Vicki

  5-star rating

  Made these for lunch today. Absolutely delicious. Great recipe.

  Thank you Vicki! So glad you loved them!

• Vicki

  5-star rating

  Made these for lunch today. They came out absolutely delicious.

  Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it!

• Jaclyn

  5-star rating

  We had an outdoor dinner party and I used this recipe! They were so good and quite the showstopper! The Bishops love TMP and I am so grateful for all your hard work!

  Thank you so much for this sweet comment!

• Karlee

  5-star rating

  I cannot tell you how many meatball subs I put DOWN in my childhood. So glad for a grown-up version! Absolutely perfect!

Write a Review

Save this Recipe

Enter your email below & we'll send Meatball Sub Sandwich to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!

SAVE

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Our Signature Recipes

💌 FREE EMAIL BONUS: Go-to favorites from our kitchen to yours!

Our Recipes, Your Inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter for weekly recipe inspiration as well as seasonal menu tips and resources.