20 Minute Homemade Meatball Sandwich

This easy Meatball Sandwich recipe is perfect for the weeknight! Juicy and flavorful homemade meatballs are piled on top of crunchy hoagie bread, marinara sauce and gooey mozzarella. The secret ingredient is the herbed garlic butter spread that takes that knocks this sandwich out of the park!

If you like hoagie style sandwiches, you have to try my version of the Italian Grinder. Or, if you are looking for a recipe with marinara sauce; chicken parm subs are a close runner up to this meatball hoagie recipe!

THE PERFECT WEEKNIGHT MEAL YOU WILL LOVE

Truly, this recipe just screams "weeknight meal". Although the meatballs are homemade, you can certainly purchase store bought which cuts the time even more!

But do not be discouraged, the homemade meatballs are so easy to make. With just a few additional ingredients, you can have a hearty dinner on the table in under thirty minutes.

WHAT IS A MEATBALL SANDWICH?

If you love deconstructed recipes or various ways to consume your favorite ingredients, this meatball hoagie fits the bill! With that said, this meatball sandwich is all things Italian-American.

Marinara sauce, flavorful and juicy ground meat, garlic, butter, herbs and crunchy bread. I mean, is your mouth watering yet?

As noted, this recipe requires homemade meatballs, and it is equally important to note that this result in what I feel to be the best meatball sandwich you will ever have.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

In addition to a few "extra" ingredients. Your focus will mainly be on the meatballs and identifying the best hoagie style bread.

Here is what you will need!

HOMEMADE MEATBALLS

1. Ground Beef. It is best to use at least an 80/20 blend. I was only able to find 70/30 and had to drain excess fat. Use what works best for you!
2. Egg. Works as a binder so that the meatballs do not fall apart as easy.
3. Breadcrumbs. This also works as a binder to help maintain the shape and spongy consistency that you'll want the meatballs to have.
4. Dry Seasonings. Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and your favorite season all. I used the 21 Salute season from Trader Joe's.
5. Parsley. Curly or Italian works fine. This can be a preference, both herbs will work perfectly. In this recipe, I used curly.
6. Garlic. Fresh is best. Mince the garlic finely to avoid big chunks (if that's not your thing) or garlic paste works great too.
7. Ketchup. This ingredient is optional but my mom and grandma always added a "lil bit of ketchup" to their homemade meatballs.
8. Mayonnaise. Again, optional ingredient but Mama nem' did it so I don't stray from tradition. It really provides a rich flavor. I encourage you to try the recipe as is, I think you'll love it!
9. Parmesan Cheese. Fresh is best. I do not own the store-bought grated stuff that comes in a can. Use a shredded cheese such as asiago if you don't have fresh parm.

GARLIC BUTTER SPREAD

1. Unsalted Butter. There's plenty of salt in this recipe from the meatballs, cheese and marinara sauce. Unsalted room temperature butter will work perfectly.
2. Garlic. Finely minced or garlic paste will work.
3. Parsley. Curly or Italian works fine. This can be a preference, both herbs will work perfectly. In this recipe, I used curly.

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

1. Hoagie Bread
2. Marinara Sauce. Jarred is fine but if you have homemade, even better!
3. Mozzarella Cheese. This cheese pairs perfectly and is great for melting.
4. Parmesan Cheese. This cheese is optional but as you'll see in the recipe video, two types of cheese was added.

THE BEST BREAD FOR MEATBALL HOAGIES

It's important to note that the size of the meatballs will determine the type of hoagie style bread you will need. Any "sub-like" bread will do but you want to ensure the meatballs will nestle inside of the bun.

To explain, I found these hoagie buns at my local Kroger. They were slightly split on the side but to ensure the meatball sandwiches could be consumed neatly, I sliced down the middle of the bun.

This step was extremely helpful during plating and consuming. An Italian loaf or even French bread will suffice.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

EASY HOMEMADE MEATBALLS

First, if you have a food scale or a small scooper, it will help to measure the meatballs. This ensures each meatball is the same size.

Now, in a large bowl combine the meatball ingredients by adding ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, ketchup, mayonnaise, parsley and parmesan. Then, mix thoroughly until all ingredients are combined being careful not to overmix.

Next, using a scale or scooper, form meatballs into 1oz (or 2 tablespoon) balls and set on a lined plate or baking sheet. Now, in a large frying pan, begin browning the meatballs. Note, the meatballs do not have to cook thoroughly at this step.

HOW TO FINISH MEATBALLS

Now that the meatballs are cooked through, pour the marinara sauce over the meatballs and allow them to simmer for 15 minutes. Be careful to stir the meatballs as they cook so they are covered in the sauce.

GARLIC BUTTER SPREAD

While the meatballs simmer, now is a good time to prep the hoagie bread and garlic butter spread. Begin by taking a small bowl and combine the room temperature butter, minced garlic and parsley. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Then, spread the garlic butter mixture onto the bottom of the hoagie bread (depending on how you split them open) and set on a lined baking sheet. Now, the meatballs should be cooked through and ready for final steps!

ASSEMBLE MEATBALL SANDWICH

First, take the buttered hoagie buns and slightly open them. Add 3-4 meatballs (depending on size) and add additional marinara sauce on top (if desired). Next, add mozzarella balls and additional parmesan cheese.

Be sure the meatballs subs are not over filled so they maintain their structure. Be sure to bake on a lined tray for easy clean up.

HOW TO BAKE MEATBALL SANDWICH

Now, this is an important step to note. In this recipe, I used an air fryer and highly suggest this method if you own an air fryer! The meatball subs baked at 360 degrees in the air fryer until the cheese melted and was slightly bubbly and golden brown.

This step took about 6-8 minutes. If you are using a convention oven, around 375 degrees Fahrenheit for up to five minutes should do the trick. Be careful not to overcook the subs so monitor while baking.

RECIPE VIDEO: HOW TO MAKE MEATBALL SANDWICHES

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

1. Choosing the best type of bread yields in great results. Be sure to read the section above about choosing the best bread.
2. Make the meatballs ahead and store in the fridge for even faster cooking time!
3. If leftovers are a thing (which I highly doubt), be sure to store the ingredients separately. Simply prepare the meatball sandwiches when ready to bake.
4. If using store bought, frozen meatballs, skip the meatballs section and simply add marinara to simmer until cooked through.

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE!

I won't go into a long back story about my love for meatball sandwiches, most food bloggers are aware readers prefer to not hear our stories that are connected to each recipe. But I have to share!

As a kid, my parents would make a weekly trip Subway or Blimpie's for dinner. Initially, it was not my favorite style of food. Something about cold meat, veggies and bread did not excite me as a kid.

At the same time, I'd become equally excited because it was my opportunity to order my favorite sub, a meatball hoagie. The rest is history and now that I have a deep passion for creating recipes, I was elated to finally create my own homemade version of a meatball hoagie.

If you like hoagie style sandwiches, you have to try my version of the Italian Grinder. Or, if you are looking for a recipe with marinara sauce; chicken parm subs are a close runner up to this meatball hoagie recipe!

Italian Grinder

Chicken Parm Subs