Description
Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs combine tender, juicy beef meatballs with rich caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese, all nestled in warm hoagie rolls. This hearty sandwich is perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner, balancing savory, cheesy, and sweet flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Onions & Cooking
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
Assembly
- 4 hoagie rolls or sub buns
- 1 ½ cups shredded Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled subs later.
- Make Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until just combined, then shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides until they develop a nice crust, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: In the same skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté slowly for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft, golden, and caramelized, bringing out their sweetness.
- Simmer Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the caramelized onions. Pour in the beef broth and let everything simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through fully and the broth to reduce slightly, intensifying the flavor.
- Prepare Rolls: Slice each hoagie roll lengthwise, leaving a hinge so the sandwich stays connected.
- Assemble Subs: Place 4 meatballs inside each roll. Spoon generous amounts of the caramelized onions and some of the reduced broth over the meatballs to keep them juicy and flavorful.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle about â…“ cup (roughly) of shredded Swiss cheese over the meatballs and onions in each sub.
- Bake Subs: Arrange the prepared subs on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the Swiss cheese melts and becomes bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Caramelizing onions is key to developing the dish’s sweet and savory depth; do not rush this step.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the beef broth while simmering.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated inside the subs or served with pasta.
- Using a mix of Parmesan and other hard cheeses can add a more complex flavor to the meatballs.
