There’s nothing quite like biting into a hearty Italian meatball sub, packed with flavorful, tender meatballs, rich homemade tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. This recipe is perfect for a satisfying family meal or a casual weekend treat. With a combination of ground beef, pork, and classic Italian seasonings, these meatballs are juicy and flavorful. Add a tangy, homemade tomato sauce, and top it all off with a blend of cheeses for a truly mouthwatering sandwich experience.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound (454g) ground beef
- 1 pound (454g) ground pork
- 3 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (100g) parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup (171ml) water
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup (76ml) olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
For the Subs:
- 8 crusty sub rolls, cut in half
- 8 ounces provolone cheese, shredded
- 6 ounces fontina cheese, shredded
- 2 ounces parmesan cheese, finely grated
- Fresh basil, torn (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Meatballs:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, eggs, parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs. Mix until well combined. Slowly add the water and mix until the meat mixture is moist and holds together.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into medium-sized meatballs (about 1 ½ inches in diameter). You should have around 24-30 meatballs depending on size.
- Cook the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the meatballs evenly on the sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are beautifully browned and cooked all the way through.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Sauté the Garlic: In a spacious saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, granulated sugar, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and adjust the seasoning to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 5 minutes.
Assemble the Subs:
- Prepare the Rolls: Preheat the broiler on your oven. Cut the sub rolls in half and lightly toast them under the broiler until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Layer the Sandwiches: Spoon a generous amount of tomato sauce on the bottom half of each toasted sub roll. Add 3-4 meatballs on top of the sauce. Spoon a little more sauce over the meatballs. Top each sub with shredded provolone, fontina, and parmesan cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the subs under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with torn fresh basil if desired, and serve your meatball subs hot.
Conclusion:
These meatball subs are a delicious combination of tender, flavorful meatballs and rich, tangy tomato sauce, all tucked into a crusty sub roll and topped with gooey melted cheese. With a blend of beef and pork, seasoned to perfection, and a homemade sauce that brings everything together, these subs are a comforting, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.
Easy Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches with Homemade Tomato Sauce
Juicy homemade meatballs made with a blend of beefand pork, seasoned with Italian herbs, and baked to perfection.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound 454g ground beef
- 1 pound 454g ground pork
- 3 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup 100g parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup 171ml water
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup 76ml olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes with basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves chopped
For the Subs:
- 8 crusty sub rolls cut in half
- 8 ounces provolone cheese shredded
- 6 ounces fontina cheese shredded
- 2 ounces parmesan cheese finely grated
- Fresh basil torn (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, eggs, parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumbs. Mix until well combined. Slowly add the water and mix until the meat mixture is moist and holds together.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into medium-sized meatballs (about 1 ½ inches in diameter). You should have around 24-30 meatballs depending on size.
- Cook the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the meatballs evenly on the sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are beautifully browned and cooked all the way through.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Sauté the Garlic: In a spacious saucepan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Tomato Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, granulated sugar, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and adjust the seasoning to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for another 5 minutes.
Assemble the Subs:
- Prepare the Rolls: Preheat the broiler on your oven. Cut the sub rolls in half and lightly toast them under the broiler until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Layer the Sandwiches: Spoon a generous amount of tomato sauce on the bottom half of each toasted sub roll. Add 3-4 meatballs on top of the sauce. Spoon a little more sauce over the meatballs. Top each sub with shredded provolone, fontina, and parmesan cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the subs under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with torn fresh basil if desired, and serve your meatball subs hot.