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Meatball Parm Sub

Overstuffed Meatball Parm Sub with Garlic Knots as the Bun 🥖🍅🧀

This Meatball Parm Sub reinvents the classic Italian-American favorite by swapping traditional bread for garlic knot buns! Stuffed with juicy meatballs, melted mozzarella, smoky provolone, and tangy marinara, this dish is a crispy, cheesy, crowd-pleasing masterpiece. Perfect for game days, family dinners, or whenever you crave comfort food with a creative twist.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Meatballs 🧆

🥩 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)

🐖 ½ lb ground pork (or substitute with turkey)

🍞 ½ cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)

🧀 ¼ cup grated Parmesan

🥚 1 large egg

🌿 2 tsp Italian seasoning

🧄 2 garlic cloves, minced

🧂 1 tsp salt

For the Garlic Knot Buns 🥨

🍕 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

🧈 4 tbsp melted butter

🧄 4 garlic cloves, minced

🌿 1 tbsp chopped parsley

🧀 2 tbsp grated Parmesan

For Assembly 🥪

🍅 2 cups marinara sauce (try Astrid’s 15-Minute Marinara)

🧀 1 cup shredded mozzarella

🧀 ½ cup sliced provolone

🌿 Fresh basil (for garnish)

Instructions

Make the Meatballs

 

Preheat oven to 375°F.

 

In a bowl, combine beef, pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently.

 

Roll into 12-15 meatballs (1.5-inch size).

 

Bake for 20-25 minutes or pan-fry until golden.

 

Prepare Garlic Knot Buns

 

Roll pizza dough into 8 equal strips. Tie each into a knot.

 

Mix melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley. Brush over knots.

 

Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until golden. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

 

Assemble the Sub

 

Slice garlic knots horizontally. Layer meatballs, marinara, mozzarella, and provolone.

 

Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with basil.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven.

 

Make-Ahead: Freeze uncooked meatballs and garlic knots for up to 3 months.

 

Substitutions: Use vegan cheese and plant-based meat for a dairy-free version.

  • Author: Astrid
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking, Broiling
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sub
  • Calories: 680 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 1,240mg
  • Fat: 38g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 48g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 145mg