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Dinner's a breeze with these subs loaded with meatballs. Whip up your own meatballs or just use some from the store—either way, you'll have a dinner that's a crowd pleaser. They're super easy to throw together and always hit the mark.
Why You'll Love These Subs
If you want something cozy that doesn't feel heavy, these subs are perfect. Just 330 calories for each one, so you can dig in and not stress. Pick a salad or some chips as your side, and you're set for supper. Store-bought or homemade meatballs both do the trick and taste awesome.
What Goes In Them
- Mozzarella: Grab the shredded kind for easy melting
- Hot Dog Buns: Fresh ones are the best for holding everything
- Pasta Sauce: Just use your go-to jarred sauce
- Oil: Needed for frying up those meatballs
- Meatballs: Make a batch of 24 or just buy them frozen
- Salt: Any basic table salt will work
- Red Pepper Flakes: Toss them in if you're feeling spicy, or leave out
- Italian Seasoning: The all-in-one spice blend keeps it simple
- Garlic: Freshly chopped is best, but garlic powder is fine too
- Egg: Just one large
- Breadcrumbs: Panko or regular, both work
- Ground Beef: Go for the lean stuff, or swap in turkey if you want
How to Build Yours
- Melt the Cheese:
- Slide the subs under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye so the cheese gets gooey, not burnt
- Fill Your Buns:
- Pop three meatballs into each bun, spoon extra sauce on, and blanket with cheese
- Buns Prep:
- Flip the broiler on and place the buns on a baking sheet
- For Frozen Meatballs:
- Warm the sauce in a pan, add in frozen meatballs, cover, and let it all cook for about 25 minutes
- Sauce Time:
- Once the meatballs are browned, pour sauce on, cover, and let them simmer 15 minutes till they're cooked through
- Cooking Meatballs:
- Heat a little oil in a skillet and get the meatballs browned on all sides
- Mix Up Meatballs:
- Throw ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, seasonings, and a pinch of salt in a bowl, mix well, and make 24 balls
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What Makes Them Stand Out
After a long day, biting into one of these subs feels extra good. At just 330 calories a pop, you can dig in guilt-free. Whether you’re rolling your own meatballs or pouring out frozen ones, you’ll end up with something delicious. Don't be surprised if you’re making seconds.
Simple and Delicious
No need to hunt for fancy stuff to get these tasting great. Mix up ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, and a few spices for meatballs that always come out right. Throw in a little garlic or spice if you want a kick. When you melt cheese over the top, it all just comes together. Swap in provolone or any melt-friendly cheese to change things up.
How It All Comes Together
These subs come together so easily. Brown the meatballs, simmer them in a sauce until they've soaked up all the flavor. Pop them in buns, cover with cheese, and melt until bubbly on top. That's it—everyone digs in.
What Goes Well With It
Pick some easy sides to round things out. A green salad keeps it light, or grab a handful of crunchy potato chips. Potato salad does the trick too. Feeling like mixing it up? Try fruit or a pasta salad—makes the whole meal a breeze.
Stashing Extras
If you've got subs left over, just toss the meatballs and sauce in a covered container in your fridge for up to four days. Next time you want one, warm up the meatballs, pop them in a fresh bun, add cheese, and broil it quick. Still just as tasty as day one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use frozen meatballs?
Totally! Frozen meatballs will do the trick and cut down on prep. Just get them hot right in the sauce. Such a time-saver and still super tasty.
- → What goes good with these?
Try a Caesar salad for something crisp and cool. Or, if you want to fill up, grab some garlic bread or warm up a baguette to dip and munch on the side.
- → Need more spice?
If you want extra heat, toss more red pepper flakes into your meatball mix first. At the end, you could sprinkle on some spicy marinara or even pour a bit of sriracha over the top.
- → Other cheese options?
Provolone melts super smooth and creamy, while Parmesan packs a punchy, nutty bite. Mozzarella is a great pick if you like it milder—use one or try a combo for a cheesy upgrade.
- → Can I make ahead?
For sure! Whip up the meatballs and store in the fridge up to three days, or freeze if you want. Warm them in sauce before you eat and toss on the cheese just before serving for max freshness.
Conclusion
If these flavors hit the spot, you could try a warm meatball soup next time for cozy vibes. Want to dress it up? Go for baked meatball parm. Or skewer and grill them for a fun twist. It all uses the same bold spices.