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Meatball Sub Bites with Marinara Sauce

Meatball Sub Bites with Marinara Sauce
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Meatball Sub Bites with Marinara Sauce are bite-sized snacks featuring tender, savory meatballs paired with tangy marinara and melted cheese, nestled in soft mini buns. Perfect for parties, game nights, or casual snacking, these easy-to-make appetizers combine rich classic flavors in perfect portion sizes that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (lean)
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (dried or fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, basil)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking and brushing)

Assembly & Toppings

  • Mini sub rolls or slider buns (soft, bite-sized)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (jarred or homemade, warmed)
  • Optional garnish: freshly chopped basil or parsley, extra grated Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground meat with bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to combine without overworking to keep meatballs tender.
  2. Form and Cook the Meatballs: Shape mixture into small bite-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook meatballs until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Heat the Marinara Sauce: Warm marinara sauce in a saucepan or microwave until hot, ready to spoon over the subs.
  4. Assemble the Meatball Sub Bites: Slice mini rolls open horizontally without cutting all the way through, creating a pocket. Place 1-2 meatballs per bun, spoon marinara sauce generously over the meatballs, then top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  5. Melt the Cheese: Place assembled bites on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  6. Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve immediately for gooey, flavorful bites that everyone will enjoy.

Notes

  • Use fresh quality ground meat or sausage for best flavor.
  • Mix ingredients just until combined to avoid dense meatballs.
  • Lightly brush and toast the buns with olive oil to prevent sogginess and add crunch.
  • Keep marinara sauce warm when assembling to maintain juiciness.
  • Watch the broiler closely as cheese melts quickly to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatball sub bites, mini meatball subs, appetizer, party snacks, marinara sauce, easy meatballs, slider buns

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/meatball-sub-bites-with-marinara-sauce/