Baked Meatball Submarine | What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine

Juicy homemade baked meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce, tucked inside toasted Italian bread, and topped with bubbly melted mozzarella — this is the ultimate comfort food sandwich.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning game day food, or just want an easy Italian dinner recipe, this classic meatball sub delivers big flavor with simple ingredients.

Baking the meatballs keeps them tender and flavorful while making prep easy and less messy than frying but of course if you prefer frying by all means fry them or air fry them.

You can add these to a slow cooker with marinara sauce and keep them warm.

This Baked Meatball Submarine Sandwich is everything you want in a hot Italian sandwich — hearty, saucy, cheesy, and deeply satisfying.

The homemade baked meatballs are tender and flavorful, the sauce is rich and comforting, and that melty mozzarella pulls it all together.

Once you make these at home, you may never order a meatball sub out again!.

Why Make This Recipe for Baked Meatball Submarines

1. Oven-baked meatballs – no frying required
2. Perfect for game day, family dinners, or casual entertaining
3. Made with simple pantry ingredients
4. Freezer-friendly meatballs for meal prep
5. Gooey melted mozzarella in every bite
   Authentic Italian-style flavor

Topping Ideas for Meatball Subs

• Sautéed bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Ricotta dollops
• Extra caramelized onions
• Hot cherry peppers
• Banana peppers 
• Jalapeños
• Garlic aioli
• Chipotle mayo
• Pizza sauce for a “pizza  meatballs with your favortie pizza toppings.”
• Add a variety blend of cheeses
• Mix in cooked bacon
• Swap beef with chicken or turkey

Cooking Methods and Tips

• You can add this to an air fryer, bake it on a cookie sheet, or fry it on the stovetop.
• Using the slow cooker is perfect for entertaining, to keep them warm.
• These can be air fried meatballs, add them to the casserole dish with sauce and cheese then bake.
• Grill them outside, they taste great!
• Make them into patties they come out great on oil-sprayed foil, then just bake them on a cookie sheet
• Add the baked meatballs and sauce on open faced garlic bread and cheese to cut down on carbs
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture , it keeps them tender.
• Use whole milk mozzarella for better melting.
• Always pre-toast the bread to prevent sogginess.
• Meatballs freeze beautifully,  make a double batch.
• Fresh basil added after baking adds bright flavor.
• Use a beef/pork mix for juicier meatballs.

Meatball Submarine Pin for Later

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Yield: 4

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

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Baked Meatball Submarine

Juicy homemade baked meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce, tucked inside toasted Italian bread, and topped with bubbly melted mozzarella — this is the ultimate comfort food submarine sandwich

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 15 M

Ingredients

• Baked Meatballs with Sauce and Mozzarella
• For the Baked Meatballs:
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
• 1/2 pound ground pork (optional but recommended for tenderness)
• 1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and Pecorino Romano blend
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Sauce
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 Italian sub rolls
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese and shredded provolone blended
• Extra-grated cheese for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, grated cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix the ingredients evenly, don’t overmix.
4. Roll into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until browned and crispy.
6. In the meantime, heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
7. Sauté the garlic for 2 minutes.
8. Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
9. Simmer for 20 minutes.
10. Add baked meatballs to the sauce and simmer together for 10 minutes.
11. Add to a casserole dish and top with half the cheese and bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, just until the cheese is melted.
12. Slice sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through.
13. Lightly toast rolls in the oven (we like them buttered with garlic powder and grated cheese)
14. Spoon meatballs and sauce into each roll, and add more cheese and grated cheese
15. Place on a baking sheet.
16. Broil 2 minutes for golden cheesy tops.
17. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Topping Ideas for Meatball Subs

• Sautéed bell peppers
• Mushrooms
• Ricotta dollops
• Extra caramelized onions
• Hot cherry peppers
• Banana peppers 
• Jalapeños
• Garlic aioli
• Chipotle mayo
• Pizza sauce for “pizza meatballs with your favorite pizza toppings.”
• Add a variety of cheeses
• Mix in cooked bacon
• Swap beef with chicken or turkey

Cooking Methods and Tips

• You can add this to an air fryer, bake it on a cookie sheet, or fry it on the stovetop.
• Using the slow cooker is perfect for entertaining, to keep them warm.
• These can be air-fried meatballs. Add them to the casserole dish with sauce and cheese, then bake.
• Grill them outside, they taste great!
• Make them into patties; they come out great on oil-sprayed foil, then just bake them on a cookie sheet
• Add the baked meatballs and sauce on open-faced garlic bread and cheese to cut down on carbs
• Don’t overmix the meatball mixture; it keeps them tender.
• Use whole milk mozzarella for better melting.
• Always pre-toast the bread to prevent sogginess.
• Meatballs freeze beautifully; make a double batch.
• Fresh basil added after baking adds bright flavor.
• Use a beef/pork mix for juicier meatballs.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies

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Meatball Submarine Pin for Later

Some Other Of Our Favorite Recipes

Traditional Sunday Sauce
Marinara Sauce