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
1lbground beef, 80/20
1/2cupplain breadcrumbs
1/4cupwhole milk
1/4cupParmesan cheese, grated
1largeegg, beaten
2clovesgarlic, minced
1/4cuponion, finely grated
1tspdried Italian seasoning
1/2tspkosher salt
1/4tspblack pepper
For the Marinara
1tbspolive oil
2clovesgarlic, minced
14ozcrushed tomatoes
1tbsptomato paste
1tspgranulated sugar
1tspdried oregano
1/2tspdried basil
1/4tspkosher salt
1/8tspblack pepper
For Assembly
4rolls, six-inch soft Italian sub
1 1/2cupsmozzarella, shredded low-moisture
1/4cupParmesan 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.
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.