By Foodie Moodie • Jump to Recipe • Print Recipe

Meatball Subs

⏱️ Prep: 20 min

🔥 Cook: 40 min

🕒 Total: 1 hr

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Servings: 4-5 subs

Juicy beef meatballs cooked in a rich homemade marinara sauce, served on toasted bread with garlic butter, melted cheese, and fresh herbs. A perfect hearty sandwich for lunch or dinner!

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Tender, juicy meatballs infused with fresh herbs and spices
• ✅ Homemade marinara sauce packed with flavor
• ✅ Garlic butter toast for extra richness
• ✅ Perfect comfort food and hearty sandwich

💡 Cooking Tips

• Use fresh herbs to maximize flavor depth.
• Shallow fry meatballs to get a nice sear before simmering in sauce.
• Reduce marinara slowly to intensify flavors.
• Roast garlic for a sweet, mellow flavor in the garlic butter.

🍴 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a side of fries or salad.
• Top with extra grated Parmesan for a richer taste.
• Perfect for lunch, dinner, or weekend gatherings.

❄️ Storage & Reheating

• Store meatballs and sauce separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in a pan or microwave and assemble on toasted bread before serving.
• Do not assemble sandwiches too early to prevent sogginess.

🔄 Variations

• Use turkey or chicken mince instead of beef for a lighter version.
• Add roasted bell peppers or sautéed mushrooms to the sandwich.
• Try different cheeses like provolone or mozzarella for variation.

❓ FAQs

• Can I freeze the meatballs? Yes, freeze cooked meatballs in sauce in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
• Can I make the garlic butter in advance? Absolutely, store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Can I use pre-made marinara sauce? Yes, but homemade sauce gives richer flavor.

📝 Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 kg Beef Mince
• Caramelised Onion Chilli Mix
• Fresh Parsley, Dill, Rosemary
• 6 Garlic Cloves (Minced)
• Salt & Pepper
• Breadcrumbs (2 slices)
• Parmesan & Cheese
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Mixed Herbs
• 1 tsp Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 Egg

Marinara Sauce

• 1 Whole Onion, Diced
• 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 1 Tin Chopped Tomatoes (Blended)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 3 Sun-dried Tomatoes
• Pinch of Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt & Pepper
• Fresh Parsley, Basil, Rosemary

Garlic Butter

• 75g Butter (Softened)
• 1 Bulb Roasted Garlic
• Handful of Fresh Parsley
• Salt & Pepper

For Assembling

• Bread (Brioche or Sub rolls)
• Extra Cheese for topping
• Extra Marinara Sauce
• Fresh Parsley & Grated Parmesan

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven or airfryer and roast the garlic bulb with oil at 190°C for 25 mins.
2. For the marinara sauce, sauté diced onion and minced garlic in oil for 15 mins until golden brown.
3. Add blended chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, sun-dried tomatoes, pinch of sugar, and simmer on medium-low for 25-30 mins, adding water if needed.
4. Add finely chopped fresh herbs at the end to deepen flavor.
5. Caramelise diced onion and chilli in a splash of oil for 15 mins on low heat, lid on first, then lid off to brown.
6. Mix beef mince with breadcrumbs, spices, cheese, egg, and caramelised onion mixture.
7. Oil your hands lightly and shape into meatballs. Shallow fry for 15 mins to get an even sear.
8. Add seared meatballs into the marinara sauce with 1/2 cup water and simmer gently until fully cooked.
9. Prepare garlic butter by combining softened butter, roasted garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
10. Spread garlic butter on bread and toast briefly.
11. Assemble sandwiches with meatballs, extra cheese, marinara sauce, parsley, and Parmesan. Serve hot!

📊 Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: ~550 | Protein: 35g | Carbs: 45g | Fat: 28g