Description
This Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs recipe is a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for busy evenings. Featuring juicy, seasoned meatballs simmered in marinara sauce, nestled in toasted hot dog buns, and topped with melted mozzarella, these subs are quick to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef (95% lean)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Cooking & Assembly
- 24 homemade or frozen meatballs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt thoroughly. Once mixed, shape the mixture into 24 evenly sized meatballs to ensure uniform cooking.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, turning gently to avoid breaking them apart.
- Simmer in Marinara Sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned meatballs. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until meatballs are fully cooked through and flavors meld together.
- Assemble the Subs: Preheat the broiler on your oven. Place meatballs evenly into the hot dog buns. Spoon additional marinara sauce over the meatballs and generously top each with shredded mozzarella.
- Broil Until Melty: Arrange the assembled subs on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use store-bought frozen meatballs to save time and simplify the recipe.
- Customize your subs by adding additional toppings like sliced peppers, onions, or fresh basil for extra flavor and texture.
- Make sure to watch the subs closely under the broiler to prevent burning the cheese or buns.
Keywords: meatball subs, easy meatball sandwich, weeknight dinner, quick meatball recipe, Italian sandwich