Irresistible Mini Meatball Subs Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting delectable mini meatball subs brings pure comfort to your evening meal.

Juicy, perfectly seasoned morsels nestle between soft bread, creating a handheld delight.

Small yet mighty, these little sandwiches pack incredible flavor in every bite.

Fragrant herbs and robust seasonings elevate the humble meatball into something extraordinary.

Our simple approach ensures anyone can master this crowd-pleasing dish with ease.

Unexpected ingredients add surprising depth to each carefully crafted bite.

You’ll want to make extra – these irresistible subs disappear faster than you can plate them.

What’s Great About Mini Meatball Subs

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone craves delicious handheld food that's packed with flavor.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels, swap ground beef for turkey, or add extra herbs to match personal taste preferences without complicated modifications.
• Family-Friendly Cooking: Simple enough for kids to help assemble, creating fun kitchen memories while learning basic cooking skills with minimal complicated steps.
• Minimal Cleanup Champion: Uses just a few kitchen tools like skillet and baking sheet, reducing post-meal washing time and making this recipe stress-free for busy home cooks.

What Goes in Mini Meatball Subs

• Ground Beef: A flavorful protein that forms the foundation of the meatballs and provides a rich, hearty taste.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help hold the meatballs together and create a tender, cohesive texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps bind the meat mixture.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning, Parsley: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the meatballs with aromatic and savory notes.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth surface for browning the meatballs and adds a subtle richness.
• Marinara Sauce: Offers a classic, tangy tomato base that complements the meat.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that adds a spicy kick to the sauce.

• Mini Rolls: Serve as the base for the meatball sandwich.
• Butter, Garlic Powder: Create a flavorful, aromatic coating for the inside of the rolls.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding a creamy, stretchy texture to the sub.

• Fresh Parsley: Provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

Putting Together Mini Meatball Subs

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Skillet

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a skillet on the stovetop, ready for cooking meatballs.

Step 2: Create Meatball Mixture

• Ground beef
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley

Mix all ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Shape Perfect Meatballs

Roll the meat mixture into small, uniform balls approximately one inch in diameter.

Ensure each meatball is compact and smooth.

Step 4: Brown Meatballs

Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place meatballs into the pan, rotating them to brown evenly on all sides. Cook for about 5 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.

Step 5: Simmer with Sauce

Pour marinara sauce into the skillet with the meatballs. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for optional heat.

Allow meatballs to simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat with sauce.

Step 6: Prepare Rolls

Slice mini rolls lengthwise.

Brush interior surfaces with a mixture of melted butter and garlic powder.

Step 7: Assemble Subs

Place 2-3 meatballs inside each roll.

Spoon additional sauce over the meatballs. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 8: Bake and Melt

Transfer prepared subs to a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese becomes melted and slightly bubbly.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Garnish subs with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while warm and gooey.

Little Tricks for Juicier Meatball Subs

• Roll meatballs uniformly using a small ice cream scoop or wet hands to ensure consistent size and even cooking.
• Add a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for enhanced rich, complex taste.
• Mix ground beef with a small amount of milk or breadcrumbs soaked in milk to maintain moisture and tenderness.
• Make extra meatballs ahead and freeze uncooked for future quick dinners or batch cooking convenience.
• Opt for ground beef with 85% lean meat to balance flavor and reduce excessive greasiness in your meatball subs.

Fun Options for Mini Sub Fillings

• Turkey Meatball Swap: Replace ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter protein option, maintaining the same seasonings and cooking method.
• Vegetarian Meatless Wonder: Substitute meat with plant-based alternatives like Beyond Meat crumbles or lentil-based meatballs, using similar spices for flavor depth.
• Gluten-Free Mini Sub: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rolls, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free while keeping the original recipe's core technique.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip the rolls entirely and serve meatballs in crisp lettuce leaves, creating a carb-conscious alternative that's equally delicious.

Mini Meatball Sub Pairings That Work

Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, savory meatball flavors with its balanced acidity and fruit-forward profile.

Choose a craft amber ale or Belgian-style beer with malty undertones that can stand up to the robust marinara sauce and meaty texture of the mini subs.

Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved Parmesan to cut through the richness of the meatballs and provide a crisp, refreshing contrast.

Brew a fresh basil and mint iced tea that offers a cool, herbaceous touch to balance the warm, spicy notes of the meatball sub.

Keep Mini Meatball Subs Warm Later

• Store leftover meatballs and subs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate meatballs from rolls to prevent soggy bread.
• Wrap individual meatballs or prepared subs tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Place in freezer-safe containers.
• Warm in microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of marinara sauce.
• Reassemble subs on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350F for 10-15 minutes. Remove foil in the last 3 minutes to crisp the bread and melt cheese.

FAQs

• How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?

Use cold meat and mix ingredients gently without overmixing. Ensure breadcrumbs and egg are thoroughly incorporated to help bind the meat together.

• Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare meatballs up to 24 hours in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and cook when ready to assemble the subs.

• What type of ground beef works best?

Use ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier meatballs. The fat helps keep the meat tender and adds more flavor to the dish.

Mini Meatball Subs Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory mini meatball subs deliver Italian-inspired comfort in compact, flavor-packed bites perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and tender homemade meatballs nestled in crispy rolls promise a delicious experience you won’t soon forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for rolls)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Binding and Base:

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 8 mini sub rolls or slider buns
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)

Sauce:

• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking.
2. Create a flavorful meat mixture by blending ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and parsley until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Gently form the meat mixture into compact, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature and carefully brown the meatballs on all surfaces, cooking for roughly 5 minutes.
5. Introduce marinara sauce and red pepper flakes to the skillet, allowing meatballs to simmer and absorb flavors for 10 minutes, occasionally stirring to ensure even coating.
6. Slice mini rolls horizontally and arrange on a baking sheet, then brush interior surfaces with a garlic-infused melted butter mixture.
7. Nestle 2-3 meatballs inside each roll, generously ladle additional sauce, and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
8. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm and appetizing.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and create lighter meatballs without compromising flavor.
• Experiment with ground turkey or chicken for a healthier protein alternative that still delivers delicious results.
• Mix herbs like fresh basil or oregano into the meatball mixture to elevate the Mediterranean-inspired taste profile.
• Toast bread crumbs lightly before mixing for enhanced nutty depth and extra crispiness in the meatball texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 410 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg