Meatball Subs
Juicy meatball subs feature flavorful meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, nestled in soft submarine rolls—perfect for casual family dinners or satisfying sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 2 slightly beaten eggs ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. milk ⓘ
- 1/2 c. very fine dry bread crumbs ⓘ
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 8 submarine rolls ⓘ
- 1 lb. pork sausage ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. green pepper ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 c. water ⓘ
- 2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. garlic salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix together the eggs, milk, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and ground beef.
- Form the mixture into balls and cook on medium heat until fully cooked.
- In a separate saucepan, combine tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, sugar, garlic salt, and oregano. Simmer the sauce.
- Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for additional flavor.
- Slice the submarine rolls and fill with meatballs and sauce before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh herbs like parsley to the meatball mixture. If you want a lighter option, swap half of the ground beef for turkey or chicken, and use whole wheat rolls instead of traditional submarine rolls. You can also use store-bought marinara sauce for convenience, making this a quick meal option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your meatball subs with a side of crispy potato chips or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal. For a fun twist, consider adding a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese on top and broiling the subs for a few minutes until bubbly. These subs pair beautifully with a side of Beans Trio for a hearty meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover meatball subs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the subs in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions for about 1-2 minutes, but the oven method helps retain the roll's texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Meatball Subs contains roughly 1013 calories, with 24g protein, 165g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (91% of the Daily Value), calcium (69% of the Daily Value), and protein (48% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 956mg per serving (42% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze meatball subs?
Yes, you can freeze meatball subs! Assemble the subs without the sauce and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven with the sauce until heated through.
How do I make meatballs without eggs?
If you're looking to make egg-free meatballs, substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water). This will help bind the ingredients together while keeping the meatballs moist.
What can I use instead of submarine rolls?
You can use any type of bread for your meatball subs, such as hoagie rolls, baguettes, or even slider buns for smaller portions. For a gluten-free option, look for gluten-free rolls or serve the meatballs over a bed of lettuce for a low-carb alternative.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).