Sink your teeth into a hearty meatball sub, overflowing with juicy, flavorful meatballs and drenched in rich marinara sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella, served on a toasted, crusty hoagie roll, this sandwich is the ultimate comfort food for any day of the week.
Key Information:
- Preparation time: 25 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Number of servings: 4
- Serving size: 1 sub sandwich
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fat: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 450g (1 lb) ground beef
- 225g (½ lb) ground pork
- 60g (½ cup) breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 60ml (¼ cup) milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- 15g (2 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Subs:
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 200g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 30g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- 15g (2 tbsp) fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Detailed Method of Preparation:
Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 20-24 meatballs).
Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. They don’t need to cook through entirely at this point, as they will finish in the sauce. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Marinara Sauce:
- In the same skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, and sugar. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the browned meatballs into the sauce, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are fully cooked through.
Assemble the Subs:
- Preheat your oven’s broiler to high.
- Split the hoagie rolls lengthwise and lightly toast them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden.
- Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce onto the bottom half of each roll, place 4-5 meatballs on top, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Place the subs back under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish and Serve:
- Sprinkle the subs with grated Parmesan and fresh basil or parsley for garnish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Culinary Success:
- Use a mix of beef and pork: This combination gives the meatballs a more tender texture and richer flavor.
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture: Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs. Mix just until everything is combined.
- Simmer the meatballs in the sauce: This helps them absorb the rich flavors of the marinara and ensures they stay juicy.
- Toast the hoagie rolls: This adds a nice crunch and prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
- Double the sauce: If you love extra saucy subs, consider doubling the marinara sauce recipe for dipping!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I use store-bought marinara sauce? Yes! If you're short on time, a quality store-bought marinara sauce will work just fine.
- Can I freeze the meatballs? Absolutely. Cook the meatballs without the sauce, let them cool, and freeze them in an airtight container. They can last up to 3 months.
- Can I use chicken or turkey instead of beef and pork? Yes, you can substitute ground chicken or turkey for a leaner option, but the texture might be slightly different.
- What type of bread is best for meatball subs? Hoagie rolls, French baguettes, or Italian sub rolls are ideal because they’re sturdy enough to hold the sauce and meatballs without falling apart.
- How can I make the meatballs gluten-free? Swap the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
These ultimate meatball subs with marinara sauce are a crowd-pleasing favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a game-day feast, this classic Italian-American sandwich is bound to satisfy. Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy every delicious bite!