Description
Delicious and hearty Meatball Subs featuring tender frozen meatballs simmered in marinara sauce, nestled in toasted hoagie buns with layers of provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, enhanced with a garlic butter spread and fresh parsley for a perfect comfort meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs & Sauce
- 16 frozen cooked meatballs
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Garlic Butter Spread
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¾ teaspoon garlic puree (or finely minced garlic)
- Kosher salt, a pinch
- ½ tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Subs
- 4 hoagie buns, uncut
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for toasting the hoagie buns and melting the cheese later in the recipe.
- Heat Meatballs and Sauce: Place the frozen cooked meatballs and 2 cups of marinara sauce in a saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are heated through and flavors meld.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic puree, a pinch of kosher salt, and chopped fresh parsley (if using). Stir well and set aside to brush on the bread.
- Hollow Hoagie Buns: Using a serrated knife, carefully hollow out a long rectangular cavity inside each hoagie bun without cutting all the way through. Remove the excess bread and set aside or discard.
- Brush with Garlic Butter and Toast: Generously brush the inside of each hollowed bun with the prepared garlic butter. Place the buns cut side up on a casserole dish or baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to toast and absorb the flavors.
- Assemble Subs: Remove buns from the oven. Line the cavity of each bun with a slice of provolone cheese. Add four heated meatballs and spoon desired amounts of marinara sauce on top of the cheese, nestled inside the buns. Sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over each assembled sub.
- Melt Cheese: Return the assembled meatball subs to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the subs from the oven, sprinkle each with ½ tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with any remaining marinara sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use frozen cooked meatballs for convenience and quicker preparation.
- Hollowing the buns prevents sogginess and allows room for meatballs and sauce.
- Garlic butter adds extra richness and flavor to the bread.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Leftover bread removed from buns can be used for homemade breadcrumbs or croutons.
- To keep subs warm, cover loosely with foil after baking until serving.
