Meatball Parmigiana Subs (Italian American Meatball Subs)
Soft beef meatballs in tomato sauce, piled into crusty rolls and grilled under melted mozzarella until bubbling.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time55 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.16 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- 2
In a bowl, mix the mince, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, oregano, parsley and salt with your hands until just combined. Do not overwork it or the meatballs turn tough.
- 3
Roll into 20 balls about the size of a walnut and place on the tray. Brush with the olive oil and bake for 15 minutes until browned and cooked through.
15 min - 4
Warm your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) in a wide pan until bubbling. Add the meatballs and simmer gently for 10 minutes so they soak up the sauce.
10 min - 5
Split the rolls lengthways, leaving one edge attached, and toast them cut side up under a hot grill for 2 minutes.
- 6
Fill each roll with 5 meatballs and plenty of sauce, then cover with the mozzarella. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melted and speckled gold.
3 min 30 s - 7
Scatter over a little extra parsley and eat straight away with a stack of napkins.
Tips
- Use fresh breadcrumbs, not dried. They soak up moisture and keep the meatballs soft.
- Bake the meatballs rather than frying them. It is less messy, and they keep an even shape.
- Choose rolls with a slightly firm crust so the sauce does not soak through before you reach the end.
Storing and freezing
Keep the meatballs in sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot. Assemble the subs fresh. The cooked meatballs in sauce freeze for up to 3 months.
Questions
Can I make the meatballs gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free rolls. Check the parmesan is fine for you, as hard cheeses are naturally gluten free.
Can I prepare these ahead?
Yes. Bake the meatballs and warm them in sauce the day before, then reheat gently and build the subs just before grilling so the rolls stay crisp.
Why did my meatballs fall apart?
Usually too little binder or too wet a mix. The egg and breadcrumbs hold them together, and chilling the rolled balls for 15 minutes before baking helps.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.