Sticky BBQ Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

These Sticky BBQ Cheeseburger Meatball Subs are loaded with juicy, cheesy meatballs coated in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, then tucked into toasted sub rolls for an easy, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the BBQ Sauce

• ¾ cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp smoked paprika

For the Subs

• 4 sub rolls or hoagie rolls
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, diced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and shredded cheddar. Mix gently until just combined.
2. Shape: Form the mixture into about 16–18 meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
4. Make the BBQ glaze: While the meatballs cook, combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, honey or brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 3–5 minutes.
5. Coat the meatballs: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and gently toss until completely coated. Let them simmer for another 2–3 minutes so the sauce becomes sticky and glossy.
6. Prepare the rolls: Slice the sub rolls open without cutting all the way through. Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and brush it over the inside of the rolls.
7. Assemble: Place several BBQ meatballs inside each roll and generously sprinkle with shredded mozzarella or cheddar.
8. Melt the cheese: Place the assembled subs on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the rolls are lightly toasted.
9. Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Tips

• Don’t overmix the beef mixture, or the meatballs can become tough.
• For extra cheesy subs, add another layer of cheese over the meatballs before baking.
• A smoky, slightly sweet BBQ sauce works especially well in this recipe.
• Serve with fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.