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Soft beef meatballs in sweet oregano-forward marinara, tucked into a toasted Italian roll over melted mozzarella. Air fryer or oven.

Copycat Subway Meatball Sub

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Soft beef meatballs in sweet oregano-forward marinara, tucked into a toasted Italian roll over melted mozzarella. Air fryer or oven.

Ingredients 

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup onion, finely grated
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Marinara

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

For Assembly

  • 4 rolls, six-inch soft Italian sub
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, shredded low-moisture
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs

  • Stir the breadcrumbs and milk together in a large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes until the milk is fully absorbed.
  • Add the ground beef, Parmesan, egg, garlic, grated onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix by hand just until combined — do not overwork.
  • Portion with a 1.5-tablespoon scoop and roll into 16 meatballs.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer with space between them, working in batches if needed. Air fry 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Make the Marinara

  • Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, without browning.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a bare simmer.
  • Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to coat a spoon.
  • Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and let them sit at least 5 minutes.

Assemble

  • Split each roll lengthwise without cutting through. Lay the mozzarella directly on the open bread. Air fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes until melted and bubbling.
  • Spoon 4 sauced meatballs into each roll. Top with additional sauce and the Parmesan.
  • Return to the air fryer at 350°F for 2 minutes to heat through. Serve immediately.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

Oven method: Bake the meatballs at 400°F on a parchment-lined sheet pan for 15 to 18 minutes, to the same 165°F internal temperature. Melt the cheese on the open rolls under a broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely.
Storage: Refrigerate meatballs and sauce together up to 4 days, or freeze up to 3 months. Store bread separately and assemble fresh.
Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer. Air fryer models vary enough that time alone is unreliable.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 666kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 50gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1553mgPotassium: 879mgFiber: 4gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 768IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 490mgIron: 17mg