Juicy Turkey Meatball Subs (Print version)
Tender turkey meatballs in tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella on toasted rolls with basil.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb 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 or 1 tbsp dried parsley
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
10 - 2 tbsp milk
→ Sauce
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 24 oz crushed tomatoes
15 - 1 tsp dried basil
16 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
17 - 1/2 tsp sugar
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Assembly
19 - 4 sub rolls or hoagie rolls
20 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
21 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, sliced (optional)
22 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, black pepper, and milk in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
03 - Shape the mixture into sixteen 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden and cooked through.
04 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add the baked meatballs into the tomato sauce and simmer together for 5 to 7 minutes, spooning sauce over the meatballs.
07 - Preheat the broiler. Slice the sub rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Toast under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly browned.
08 - Divide meatballs and sauce evenly among the rolls. Top each with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
09 - Broil the assembled subs for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Turkey keeps things lighter without sacrificing that rich, deeply satisfying flavor you crave in a meatball sub.
- The whole thing comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you want something special but not complicated.
- Melted mozzarella on top of warm meatballs in tomato sauce is honestly one of the simplest pleasures, and it tastes like you spent way more time than you actually did.
02 -
- Don't overmix the meatball mixture—I learned this the hard way when a batch came out rubbery; mix just until combined and stop.
- Using parchment paper under your meatballs makes them easier to handle and keeps them from sticking, which is honestly a game-changer for cleanup.
- Fresh basil at the end transforms these from good to special, so if you have it, use it rather than leaving it out.
03 -
- Use an ice cream scoop to form perfectly uniform meatballs in seconds—it's one of those kitchen shortcuts that actually matters.
- If your sauce tastes too acidic after simmering, a pinch more sugar and a little butter stirred in at the end smooths everything out beautifully.