Classic Italian-American Meatball Subs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

Juicy beef and pork meatballs simmered in rich tomato sauce, nestled in toasted rolls and topped with melted mozzarella for a satisfying sandwich. This Italian-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs ground beef, ground Italian sausage, breadcrumbs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 large egg
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 24 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 4 Italian rolls
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, soak 3/4 cup breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup milk for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large egg, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix gently until combined.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into 16 uniform meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through. Remove and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, add 24 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried basil, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Return meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Split 4 Italian rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place 4 meatballs with sauce in each roll.
8. Step 8: Top each sub with about 3/8 cup (6 tbsp) shredded mozzarella cheese. Place subs on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until cheese melts and edges of rolls are toasted.
9. Step 9: Serve hot with extra sauce if desired.