Turkey Meatball Subs with Cheese (Printable)
Tender turkey meatballs in marinara, melted cheese, and toasted sub rolls. Satisfying, flavorful, and ready in under an hour.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Turkey Meatballs
01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Marinara Sauce
10 - 2 cups marinara sauce
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
→ Assembly
13 - 4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
14 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
16 - Fresh basil for garnish, optional
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
03 - Shape mixture into 16 to 18 small meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
04 - Bake meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
05 - While meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until softened, approximately 3 minutes.
06 - Pour marinara sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
07 - Transfer baked meatballs to the simmering sauce, stir gently to coat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10 minutes.
08 - Cut sub rolls lengthwise without cutting completely through. Toast under the broiler until lightly crisp, watching carefully to prevent burning.
09 - Arrange 4 to 5 meatballs with sauce in each toasted roll. Top generously with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
10 - Place assembled subs on a baking tray and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
11 - Remove from broiler and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The turkey meatballs stay incredibly tender and juicy but without the heaviness of beef, so you can enjoy every last bite without feeling weighed down.
- Its the kind of meal that makes everyone gather around the table with genuine excitement, creating those precious moments of connection that somehow taste even better than the food itself.
02 -
- Letting the meatball mixture rest for 10 minutes before rolling helps the breadcrumbs fully absorb moisture, making them easier to shape and ultimately more tender.
- Dont skip toasting the rolls, as this creates a moisture barrier that prevents the sauce from turning your bread into a soggy mess halfway through eating.
03 -
- The gentle splash of water you hear when your meatballs first hit the sauce is exactly what you want, a sign of juiciness that will infuse back into your sauce.
- Save the end pieces of parmesan rinds in your freezer and toss one into the simmering sauce for an extra dimension of flavor that will have people asking for your secret.