Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Juicy herb meatballs piled high on toasted sub rolls with melted cheese, inspired by the historic Williamsburg neighborhood. This american-inspired beef ready in about 40 minutes pairs meatball mixture, sub rolls, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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
- 20 pieces meatball mixture
- 4 sub rolls
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place 20 pre-made meatballs in a baking dish, pour 1 cup marinara sauce over them, and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Bake for 20 minutes until heated through and sauce bubbles.
- Step 2: Slice 4 sub rolls lengthwise, brush cut sides with 1 tbsp olive oil, and toast in the oven for 5 minutes until golden. Remove from oven, sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on the bottom halves, then top with the baked meatballs and sauce.
- Step 3: Cover with the top halves of the rolls, brush tops with remaining olive oil, and broil for 2 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with 2 tbsp fresh basil before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep meatball mixture from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Williamsburg Meatball Sub Sandwiches?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
