Classic Meatball Marinara Sandwich
Classic Meatball Marinara Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1/2 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/4 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs, dry
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for browning
For the Sauce
- 1 3/4 cups marinara sauce, store-bought
For Assembly
- 1 sub roll, 8-inch, crusty
- 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, plain breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, 1 minced garlic clove, chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough. Form the mixture into 6-8 small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Brown the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the formed meatballs and brown them on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Simmer Meatballs in Marinara: Pour the store-bought marinara sauce into the same skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the simmering marinara sauce. Ensure they are mostly submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer gently for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, allowing them to cook through and absorb the rich flavors of the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 25 min
- 4
Prepare the Sub Roll: While the meatballs are simmering, preheat your oven broiler to high (around 400-450°F). Slice the sub roll lengthwise, but not all the way through, creating a hinge. If desired, you can lightly toast the inside of the roll under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 425
- 5
Assemble the Sandwich: Carefully spoon the cooked meatballs and plenty of marinara sauce into the toasted sub roll. Arrange the meatballs evenly. Top generously with the sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Broil the Sandwich: Place the assembled sandwich on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on it, as broilers can vary and burn quickly.
⏱️ 4 min•🌡️ 425
- 7
Serve: Carefully remove the sandwich from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Classic Meatball Marinara Sandwich!
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Meatball Marinara Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1/2 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1/4 pound ground pork
- 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs, dry
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, large
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for browning
For the Sauce
- 1 3/4 cups marinara sauce, store-bought
For Assembly
- 1 sub roll, 8-inch, crusty
- 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, plain breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, 1 minced garlic clove, chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough. Form the mixture into 6-8 small meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Brown the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the formed meatballs and brown them on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. They do not need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Simmer Meatballs in Marinara: Pour the store-bought marinara sauce into the same skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Carefully add the browned meatballs back into the simmering marinara sauce. Ensure they are mostly submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer gently for at least 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, allowing them to cook through and absorb the rich flavors of the sauce. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 25 min - 4
Prepare the Sub Roll: While the meatballs are simmering, preheat your oven broiler to high (around 400-450°F). Slice the sub roll lengthwise, but not all the way through, creating a hinge. If desired, you can lightly toast the inside of the roll under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 3 min•🌡️ 425 - 5
Assemble the Sandwich: Carefully spoon the cooked meatballs and plenty of marinara sauce into the toasted sub roll. Arrange the meatballs evenly. Top generously with the sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Broil the Sandwich: Place the assembled sandwich on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on it, as broilers can vary and burn quickly.
⏱️ 4 min•🌡️ 425 - 7
Serve: Carefully remove the sandwich from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Classic Meatball Marinara Sandwich!
⏱️ 1 min