Easy Mini Meatball Subs Recipe: A Tasty Twist for Lunch

Who doesn’t adore a hearty mini meatball sub that packs massive flavor into every compact bite?

Compact and delicious, these little sandwiches deliver serious satisfaction without overwhelming your appetite.

Mixing ground beef with herbs and spices creates juicy meatballs that nestle perfectly inside soft rolls.

Salt and pepper become your secret weapons for enhancing the meat’s natural richness.

Italian seasonings add an authentic touch that makes each morsel sing with classic Mediterranean flair.

Melted cheese draping over tender meatballs creates a gooey connection that promises pure comfort.

Come hungry and leave happy with this simple yet irresistible meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Mini Meatball Subs Perfect for Game Day

• Perfect for busy weeknights and hungry families, these mini meatball subs deliver deliciousness in minutes.
• Swap ground meats, adjust seasonings, or choose different cheeses to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Kids and adults alike will love these handheld sandwiches that transform classic meatballs into an irresistible meal everyone can enjoy.
• Requiring just 30 minutes from start to finish, this recipe offers restaurant-style satisfaction without complicated cooking techniques.

Must-Have Ingredients for Mini Meatball Subs

• Ground Meat: Core protein that provides rich flavor and hearty texture for the meatballs, best with 80/20 beef or beef and pork mix for juiciness.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold the meatballs together and adds moisture.

• Parsley, Italian Seasoning, Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Classic herbs and spices that enhance the meat's natural flavor and add aromatic complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Optional topping that provides an extra punch of savory flavor for the buns.

• Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Help bind the meatballs and add depth of flavor, traditional Italian-style ingredients.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic sauce that adds moisture and traditional Italian taste to the meatballs.
• Shredded Cheese: Melty topping that adds richness and creates a golden, appetizing finish.
• Sub Buns: Soft bread base that holds the meatballs and creates a classic sandwich experience.
• Butter (Optional): Adds extra richness and helps toast the buns for a golden, crispy exterior.

How to Build and Bake Mini Meatball Subs

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meatball Mixture

• Ground meat
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Minced garlic
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Blend ingredients gently and roll into small bite-sized spheres.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown Meatballs

Heat a skillet over medium temperature and lightly coat with cooking oil.

Add meatballs and cook while rotating occasionally, ensuring golden brown exterior and complete internal cooking.

Pour marinara sauce over meatballs and let simmer.

Step 3: Prepare Delicious Bread Vessels

Warm oven to 375°F.

Split sub rolls without complete separation.

Optional: Brush roll tops with garlic-infused melted butter.

Step 4: Create Mouthwatering Assemblage

Position 2-3 sauced meatballs inside each roll.

Sprinkle generous cheese layer across meatballs.

Step 5: Transform in Oven

Bake 8-10 minutes until cheese melts and rolls turn slightly crispy.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil.

Serve immediately while warm and delectable.

Pro Tips for Assembling Mini Meatball Subs

• Customize Meat Blend: Mix ground beef with ground pork or turkey for richer, more complex flavor profiles that elevate the meatball's taste.
• Perfect Meatball Size: Roll consistently small meatballs using a tablespoon measure to ensure even cooking and uniform appearance in every sub.
• Prevent Dry Meatballs: Add a splash of milk or water to the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy during cooking process.
• Boost Cheese Melting: Shred cheese fresh instead of using pre-packaged to achieve smoother, more luxurious melting across the mini subs.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.

Save and Serve Mini Meatball Subs Later

• Store leftover meatball subs in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, keeping the buns and meatballs together.
• Cover the subs tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Warm the subs at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they're heated through without drying out the bread or overcooking the meatballs.
• For a quick reheat, microwave individual subs for 30-45 seconds, but be cautious as the bread might become soggy.

What to Pair with Mini Meatball Subs

• Match these mini meatball subs with crisp, refreshing Italian red wine like Chianti, cutting through the rich meaty flavors and complementing the tangy marinara sauce.
• Serve alongside crunchy garlic bread or herbed focaccia, providing a delightful textural counterpoint to the soft, saucy meatball subs and adding extra carbohydrate satisfaction.
• Prepare a zesty Mediterranean salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to provide a cool, acidic balance against the warm, hearty meatball sub, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Pour ice-cold craft beer like amber ale or pale lager, which will neutralize the richness of the meatballs and enhance the overall eating experience with its effervescent and slightly bitter notes.

Change Up Your Mini Meatball Subs Like This

• Gluten-Free Mini Meatball Subs: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers. Use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
• Vegetarian Meatball Sub: Swap ground meat with plant-based alternatives like lentil, mushroom, or store-bought vegetarian meatballs. Use vegan cheese and dairy-free marinara sauce for a complete plant-based version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Meatball Sub: Add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture. Use feta cheese instead of traditional shredded cheese. Incorporate chopped kalamata olives and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce for extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Low-Carb Keto Meatball Sub: Replace buns with roasted bell pepper halves or use large portobello mushroom caps as a base. Use a low-carb marinara sauce and increase the cheese content for added fat.

Got Mini Meatball Sub Questions? We’ve Got Answers

• What type of meat works best for these meatballs?

Ground beef with a slight fat content (80/20 or 85/15) creates the most juicy and flavorful meatballs. You can also use a mix of ground beef and pork for added richness.

• How do I prevent meatballs from falling apart while cooking?

Mix ingredients gently and avoid overmixing. Use an egg as a binder and make sure to handle the meatballs carefully when rolling and turning them in the skillet. Chilling the mixture for 15-20 minutes before forming can also help them hold together.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare meatballs up to 2 days in advance. Cook them completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat with marinara sauce before assembling the subs.

• What if I want to make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers as a replacement. Check that your marinara sauce is also gluten-free, and use gluten-free sub rolls or buns.

Mini Meatball Subs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Savory mini meatball subs deliver an explosion of Italian-inspired comfort, packed with juicy seasoned morsels nestled in warm, crusty bread. Cheese melts perfectly over tender meatballs, creating a quick and irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 egg

Cheese and Dairy:

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)

Seasonings and Fillers:

• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 (24 ounces/680 grams) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 12 mini sub rolls, slider buns, or dinner rolls
• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a robust mixture by thoroughly blending ground meat with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and classic Italian seasoning, ensuring all components integrate seamlessly.
2. Delicately form the mixture into compact, uniform meatballs approximately one tablespoon in size, maintaining gentle handling to preserve meat texture.
3. Warm a skillet over medium heat, lightly coating the surface with cooking oil to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
4. Carefully introduce meatballs into the heated skillet, rotating periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, which typically requires 6-8 minutes.
5. Generously cascade marinara sauce over the perfectly seared meatballs, allowing them to simmer and absorb rich, tangy flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing for the final transformation of these savory bites.
7. Gently slice submarine rolls, maintaining a connected base, and arrange them in a baking dish or on a sheet pan.
8. Optional: Enhance flavor potential by brushing roll tops with a garlic-infused melted butter mixture.
9. Nestle 2-3 sauce-coated meatballs into each prepared roll, creating a hearty foundation.
10. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the meatballs, ensuring complete coverage.
11. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for perfectly melted cheese and slightly crisp roll edges.
12. Finish by garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or basil, then serve immediately while warm and inviting.

Notes

• Choose lean ground meat like turkey or chicken for a healthier version that’s lower in fat and calories.
• Mix meats like beef and pork for a more complex, rich flavor profile in your meatballs.
• Work quickly and gently when forming meatballs to prevent them from becoming tough and dense.
• Toast buns briefly before adding meatballs to prevent sogginess and enhance bread’s texture and flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg