Best Homemade Meatball Subs Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Best Homemade Meatball Subs Recipe

Juicy homemade meatballs with mozzarella, simmered in a rich tomato sauce, and served on toasted rolls with melted cheese for a hearty, satisfying sandwich.

Servings

Author Jennifer

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

1 1/2 lb ground beef 80/20 (or use 1 lb. of ground beef and 1/2 lb. of Italian sausage)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or 3/4 cup of actual sourdough bread crumbs)
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
2 tbsp finely minced onion (or 1 tbsp dried minced onion)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

For the Sauce

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tbsp brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced

For the Buns

4–6 hoagie or sub rolls
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for toasting)
fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so the crumbs absorb the liquid, as this helps keep the meatballs tender.
Add the ground meat, egg, cheeses, garlic, onion, and seasonings. Mix just until everything is combined. Try not to overwork it.
Form the Meatballs
Roll meatball mixture into 1″ balls (about 30 grams each).
Brown the Meatballs
Heat a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides. They don’t need to be cooked through. This step is about building flavor and helping them hold together later.
Make the Sauce
In your slow cooker, stir together the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and seasonings.
Add the browned meatballs and gently coat them in the sauce.
Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours
If the sauce feels thin, let it cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes.
Toast the Rolls
Slice the rolls and lightly brush the insides with olive oil if you like. Toast them upside down in a hot pan until the inside is golden. This helps keep them from getting soggy.
Assemble the Subs
Spoon a small amount of sauce over your toasted rolls, just enough to coat it, then add 3-4 meatballs on top. Finish with a little more sauce on the meatballs.
Sprinkle cheese on top and place under the broiler for a minute or two, until melted.
Finish with a sprinkle of parsley or basil.