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- 1 lb ground beef - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup chopped parsley - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - Salt and pepper, to taste - 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite tangy brand) - 4 sub rolls - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - Pickled jalapeños (optional, for a spicy kick) When I make Tangy BBQ Meatball Subs, I focus on using fresh and quality ingredients. Ground beef serves as the base. It brings flavor and texture. Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs. Parmesan cheese adds a nice savory taste. Chopped parsley gives a fresh touch. For the additional ingredients, I always add one egg. It keeps the meatballs moist. Garlic and onion powders are must-haves. They boost the flavor without overpowering. Salt and pepper help balance everything. The star of this recipe is the BBQ sauce. Choose a tangy sauce you love. It coats the meatballs and adds depth. Sub rolls hold everything together. They should be sturdy yet soft. Finally, shredded mozzarella cheese gives a creamy finish. If you want heat, add pickled jalapeños. They bring a spicy kick that complements the sweet BBQ sauce. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, gather your ingredients. You will need ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, combine all these ingredients. Mix them well until everything is blended. This is the key to tasty meatballs. Next, shape the mixture into small balls, about one inch wide. Place them neatly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This keeps the meatballs from sticking and makes cleanup easy. Now it’s time to cook! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Once it’s hot, bake your meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes. You want them golden brown and fully cooked. While the meatballs bake, heat your BBQ sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir it gently until it warms up. This tangy sauce will make your meatballs shine. Once the meatballs are ready, take them out of the oven. Transfer them to the saucepan with the BBQ sauce. Gently stir to coat them well in that delicious sauce. Next, cut your sub rolls open, but don’t slice them all the way through. If you like, toast them in the oven for about 5 minutes. This adds a nice crunch. Now, fill each sub roll with plenty of BBQ meatballs. Don’t hold back! Top them with shredded mozzarella cheese and pickled jalapeños if you want a spicy kick. Return the filled subs to the oven for 5 more minutes. This melts the cheese and makes everything ooey-gooey. Serve them right away with extra BBQ sauce on the side. Enjoy your tasty creation! To make great meatballs, binding ingredients are key. They help hold everything together. I like to use breadcrumbs and eggs for this. They keep the meatballs moist and tasty. To avoid dry meatballs, do not overmix. Just combine the ingredients until they blend. Also, be careful not to overbake them. Cook until they are just right, golden brown, and juicy. For tangy BBQ sauce, I recommend using brands that have a kick. Look for sauces with apple cider vinegar or citrus. These add a nice tang. You can also add spices for extra flavor. Try a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat. If you like sweetness, a dash of honey or brown sugar works well too. Pair your subs with side dishes like coleslaw or potato chips. They balance the rich flavors of the meatballs. For the best accompaniments, consider pickled jalapeños for a spicy twist. You can also serve extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping. This adds flavor and fun to your meal! Pro Tips Use Lean Meat: Opt for lean ground beef to keep the meatballs juicy without excess grease. Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to mix in different flavors like honey or mustard to personalize your BBQ sauce. Experiment with Cheeses: Try using different types of cheese like cheddar or pepper jack for a unique flavor twist. Make-Ahead Option: Prepare the meatballs in advance and freeze them; just heat them up in the sauce when ready to serve. {{image_2}} You can switch up the meat in the meatballs. Ground turkey or chicken works great. These meats are leaner and still tasty. They will keep the dish light and healthy. If you want a vegetarian option, try using lentils or chickpeas. You can crush them and mix with breadcrumbs. This will give you a nice meatball texture without meat. Cheese adds a creamy touch. You can swap mozzarella for other cheeses. Cheddar or pepper jack will give a different flavor. If you want to go vegan, use a plant-based cheese. There are many options available now. Just make sure it melts well for the best experience. To make your meatballs even better, add spices or herbs. A pinch of smoked paprika can add depth. Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can brighten the dish. You can also mix in other sauces for fun. Try a bit of hot sauce for heat or honey for sweetness. This will make each bite unique and exciting. To store leftover subs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. This keeps the subs fresh and prevents them from drying out. You can refrigerate them for up to three days. For best meatball storage, keep the meatballs separate from the bread. This helps prevent sogginess. Place the meatballs in a container with BBQ sauce and seal it well. They will last about four days in the fridge. You can freeze meatballs for later use. After baking, let the meatballs cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This keeps them from sticking together. For reheating, thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight. Then, heat them in a saucepan over low heat. Add a bit of BBQ sauce to keep them moist. You can also microwave them, but be careful not to overcook. Ground beef lasts in the fridge for one to two days. Once cooked, the meatballs can stay fresh for about four days. Breadcrumbs can last for several months if stored in a cool, dry place. Grated Parmesan cheese lasts about a week in the fridge after opening. Signs of spoilage include an off smell, discoloration, or a slimy texture. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to throw the ingredients away. Always check for freshness to enjoy your Tangy BBQ Meatball Subs safely! Yes, you can prepare the meatballs in advance. Mix all the ingredients and shape the meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. This saves time on the day you plan to serve them. For storing before baking, freeze the shaped meatballs. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. They can stay in the freezer for about three months. Just thaw them in the fridge before cooking. For this recipe, a tangy BBQ sauce works best. Look for sauces with a balance of sweetness and acidity. Brands like Sweet Baby Ray's or Stubb's offer great options. You can also make homemade BBQ sauce. Combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices. Homemade sauce allows you to customize flavors. You can add extra heat or sweetness based on your taste. Yes, you can use a slow cooker for this recipe. First, prepare the meatballs as usual. Place the uncooked meatballs in the slow cooker. Pour the BBQ sauce over them. Set the slow cooker to low for about 6 hours or high for about 3 hours. This method keeps the meatballs moist and infused with flavor. Just be sure to check that they are fully cooked before serving. In this blog post, we covered how to make delicious BBQ meatball subs. We looked at key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips to enhance flavor. Customizing your subs can make them even better. Remember, you can use different proteins and cheeses to suit your taste. With these techniques, you’ll create tasty meals every time. Enjoy making these meatball subs for yourself or a crowd! They're sure to please everyone at the table.

Tangy BBQ Meatball Subs

Delicious meatball subs coated in tangy BBQ sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.25 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 unit egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • to taste unit Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 4 unit sub rolls
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • optional unit Pickled jalapeños

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
  • While the meatballs are baking, heat the BBQ sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
  • Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and transfer them to the saucepan with BBQ sauce. Stir gently to coat the meatballs in the sauce.
  • Cut the sub rolls open but not completely through. Lightly toast them in the oven for 5 minutes if desired.
  • Fill each sub roll with a generous amount of BBQ meatballs. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and pickled jalapeños if using.
  • Return the filled subs to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Add pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Keyword BBQ, meatballs, sandwiches, subs