Name: Meatball Subs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American

Delicate Kitchen Verified

March 6, 2026

Juicy homemade meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce, layered into toasted sub rolls with pesto and melted mozzarella, this Meatball Sub is cheesy, saucy, and pure comfort food. Perfect for sharing and incredibly satisfying.

From the Cook

1/5

Meatball Subs

Delicate Kitchen Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated mozzarella, egg, onion, garlic, and all spices. Mix until just combined, do not overmix. Shape into approximately 15 evenly sized meatballs.

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent. Add the meatballs and brown them on all sides until nicely golden.

Pour in the passata. Season with the same spices used in the meat mixture. Add sliced basil and parmesan. Let everything simmer gently for about 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the meatballs are fully cooked.

Slice the sub rolls open. Spread pesto on the bottom half. Add several meatballs per sub and spoon extra sauce over them. Place 3 slices of mozzarella on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven, top with fresh basil and an extra spoon of warm sauce. Serve immediately.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

The Binder Ratio Secret 🥚
Use one egg per pound of ground beef with breadcrumbs, but soak the breadcrumbs in milk first to create a panade that keeps meatballs incredibly moist and tender instead of dense.
Don't Overwork the Meat 🙌
Mix meatball ingredients with just your fingertips for 30 seconds—overworking develops gluten and creates tough, rubbery meatballs instead of light and fluffy ones.
Sear Before Simmering 🔥
Brown meatballs in olive oil on all sides before adding to the sauce; this creates a flavorful crust that prevents them from absorbing too much liquid and becoming soggy.
Pesto Layer Strategy 🌿
Spread pesto on the toasted roll before adding meatballs to create a flavor barrier that prevents the bread from becoming soggy while adding richness to every bite.
Low and Slow Sauce Simmer 🍅
Simmer meatballs in passata sauce for 15-20 minutes on low heat rather than high heat to allow flavors to meld and prevent the sauce from reducing too quickly or burning.