Turkey Meatball Sub Marinara (Printable Version)
Tender turkey meatballs in marinara sauce nestled in toasted rolls with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
# What You Need:
→ Turkey Meatballs
01 - 1 pound ground turkey
02 - 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Marinara Sauce
10 - 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
→ Assembly
16 - 4 sub rolls or hoagie rolls
17 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping
19 - Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until combined without overmixing.
03 - Shape mixture into 12-16 meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake meatballs for 18-20 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
06 - Add marinara sauce and basil to the skillet. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
07 - Transfer baked meatballs into the skillet with sauce. Simmer together for 5-7 minutes, spooning sauce over meatballs to coat thoroughly.
08 - Slice sub rolls without cutting all the way through. Place 3-4 meatballs with sauce inside each roll.
09 - Top each sub with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
10 - Place subs on a baking sheet and broil on high for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11 - Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The meatballs stay incredibly moist because turkey soaks up the marinara as it simmers.
- Everything comes together in under an hour, but it tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, and the meatballs freeze like a dream for future weeknights.
02 -
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture or they will turn out dense and dry instead of tender.
- Simmering the meatballs in the sauce after baking is what makes them juicy and flavorful, do not skip this step.
- Watch the broiler closely in the final minutes, cheese can go from golden to burnt in seconds.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly when rolling the meatballs to keep the mixture from sticking to your palms.
- Toast the inside of the sub rolls lightly before adding the meatballs to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Make a double batch of meatballs and freeze half for an even faster dinner next time.