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Ultimate Cheesy Italian Meatball Subs

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A comforting and easy homemade dinner featuring juicy Italian meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella cheese on soft hoagie rolls. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 4 Italian hoagie rolls or sub rolls
  • 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  3. Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, about 20 total.
  4. Arrange meatballs on the baking sheet spaced apart. Bake for 18-20 minutes, turning halfway, until browned and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  5. While meatballs bake, warm marinara sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat with red pepper flakes and dried basil for 5-7 minutes.
  6. Slice hoagie rolls lengthwise, keeping a hinge. Spoon marinara inside each roll, then nestle 5 meatballs in each.
  7. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the meatballs and sauce.
  8. Place assembled subs on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix meat to keep meatballs tender. Uniform meatball size ensures even cooking. Baking is healthier and less messy than frying. Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melt. Watch cheese closely to avoid burning. Toast rolls lightly for extra crispness. Sauce can be ladled over meatballs before cheese for juiciness. Meatballs and sauce can be made a day ahead for deeper flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball subs, Italian meatballs, cheesy subs, homemade dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, Italian sandwich

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