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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking.
- 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.
- Gently form the meat mixture into compact, bite-sized spheres approximately one inch in diameter.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature and carefully brown the meatballs on all surfaces, cooking for roughly 5 minutes.
- 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.
- Slice mini rolls horizontally and arrange on a baking sheet, then brush interior surfaces with a garlic-infused melted butter mixture.
- Nestle 2-3 meatballs inside each roll, generously ladle additional sauce, and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- 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