Meatball Sub
Italian beef meatballs in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella on a toasted hoagie roll.
Italian beef meatballs in marinara sauce with melted mozzarella on a toasted hoagie roll.
Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients
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Mix meatball ingredients. Form 12-16 meatballs.
Bake at 200°C for 15 minutes.
Simmer meatballs in marinara 10 min.
Split and toast hoagie rolls. Fill with meatballs and sauce.
Top with mozzarella, broil 2 min until melted. Add basil.
Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.
Each serving of Meatball Sub delivers 36g of protein at 520 calories — that's 14 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 28% of total calories in this dish. The 40g of carbohydrates per serving provide energy for training, making this a well-rounded meal both pre- and post-workout. The 24g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, contributing to satiety and supporting fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Meatball Sub is a straightforward recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 36g of protein and 520 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Meatball Sub also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 36g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.
Prep all fillings up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate separately. Assemble just before eating — assembled sandwiches go soggy in the fridge overnight.
Use gluten-free alternatives for the bread/pasta/tortilla component. The protein and sauce parts are naturally gluten-free. Check all packaged sauces for hidden gluten.
Use a meat thermometer for proteins: chicken 74°C (165°F), beef medium 60°C (140°F). For baked dishes, look for golden brown on top and bubbling around the edges.
Recipe by
BoBo ChefFitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.