Description
These mini meatball subs are a fun and flavorful twist on a classic comfort food. Juicy homemade meatballs simmered in marinara sauce are tucked into soft slider rolls and topped with melted mozzarella for the perfect bite-sized sandwich. Great for game day, parties, or a quick family dinner, these mini subs are easy to make and impossible to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce & Assembly
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 12 slider buns or small sub rolls
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get ready for baking the assembled mini subs.
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix just until combined to keep the meatballs tender. Roll the mixture into 1-inch sized meatballs for perfect bite-sized portions.
- Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook them until they are browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. This step locks in flavor and texture.
- Simmer in marinara sauce: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the browned meatballs. Reduce the heat to low and let them simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and absorb the sauce’s flavors.
- Assemble the subs: While the meatballs simmer, arrange the slider buns on a baking sheet. Place 2–3 meatballs along with some of the marinara sauce into each bun. Generously top each with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to melt cheese: Bake the assembled mini subs in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve the mini meatball subs warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can use store-bought frozen meatballs for a quick shortcut; simply heat them in marinara sauce before assembling.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
- Serve with toothpicks for easy party snacking and to keep the subs together.
