If you’re craving the warm, melty comfort of French onion soup and the hearty satisfaction of a meatball sub, get ready to meet your new obsession: Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs. Imagine a golden hoagie overflowing with tender homemade meatballs, sweet caramelized onions, bubbling cheese, and a savory broth-soaked bite in every mouthful. It’s truly the best of both worlds—oozy, beefy, oniony, and utterly irresistible. This is the sort of meal that brings everyone to the table with big smiles and no leftovers in sight!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about simple, honest ingredients that each play a starring role in flavor and texture. From rich beef and golden onions to gooey cheese and pillowy rolls, every component helps turn Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs into a dinner you’ll crave again and again.

Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy meatballs with tons of flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Hold the meatballs together and give them a soft, tender bite.
Egg: Acts as the binder so your meatballs don’t fall apart.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and depth for that classic meatball magic.
Garlic Powder: Gives a subtle aromatic kick in every bite.
Salt: Essential for seasoning—don’t skimp!
Black Pepper: A bit of warmth and spice to round out the flavors.
Olive Oil: Used for both browning the meatballs and caramelizing the onions.
Yellow Onions: Thinly sliced and patiently caramelized; they steal the show.
Butter: Enriches the onions, giving them a luscious, sweet flavor.
Dried Thyme: Lends a gentle herbal note, reminiscent of classic French onion soup.
Beef Broth: Deglazes the pan and infuses the onions with even more savory goodness.
Sub Rolls or Hoagie Buns: Choose sturdy, bakery-fresh buns to soak up all those juices.
Provolone or Swiss Cheese: For that irresistible, stretchy melted topping—either cheese works like a dream.
Fresh Parsley (optional): A pop of green to finish, if you’re feeling fancy.

How to Make Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs

Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, gently mix together ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Don’t overwork the mixture; just combine until everything holds together. Roll the mixture into 12 small, evenly sized meatballs—perfect for nestling into your subs later.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and brown them on all sides. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes total and creates flavorful, crispy edges while locking in the juiciness.

Step 3: Caramelize the Onions

Remove the browned meatballs and set them aside. In the same pan, add the rest of the olive oil, butter, and all your sliced onions. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 15 to 20 minutes. The onions should become deeply golden, jammy, and sweet—this is where the irresistible French onion flavor comes alive!

Step 4: Simmer with Broth and Seasonings

Sprinkle in the dried thyme and pour in the beef broth, giving everything a good scrape to lift the flavor-packed bits at the bottom. Return the meatballs to the skillet and simmer together for 5 to 10 more minutes, letting the sauce thicken and the flavors meld.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Subs

Split open your sub rolls and load each one with 3 meatballs and plenty of those luscious caramelized onions. Lay 2 slices of provolone or Swiss cheese over each. Place the filled subs on a baking sheet and bake for 5–7 minutes, just until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to get golden at the edges.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

If you want a little extra color and freshness, scatter a bit of chopped parsley over the top before serving. Grab some napkins—these beauties are gloriously gooey!

How to Serve Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs

Garnishes

A final flourish of fresh chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of color and a hint of herbal flavor to Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs. If you’re looking for a flavor boost, sprinkle a little extra cracked black pepper on top, or even add a light dusting of parmesan—delicious!

Side Dishes

These subs are hearty, but they pair perfectly with simple sides like a crisp green salad, classic fries, or roasted veggies. For a French bistro feel, try serving alongside a bowl of herbed potato wedges or a bright, vinegary slaw to cut through the richness of the cheesy, saucy filling.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, cut the Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs into smaller sections for party sliders—crowd-pleasing finger food! You can also serve open-faced on thick slices of toasted baguette for an elegant twist, or even scoop the filling onto garlic bread for a decadent starter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? No problem! Simply wrap the cooled subs or store just the meatball and onion mixture separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen and get even better overnight, making a quick and satisfying lunch the next day.

Freezing

To freeze, let the meatballs and onion mixture cool completely before portioning into freezer-safe bags or containers. You can freeze the mixture for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge and reheat before assembling fresh subs.

Reheating

Warm the meatball and onion mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat until hot, adding a splash of extra broth if needed. For a just-baked experience, assemble your sub, add cheese, and pop it under the broiler or in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese melts.

FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Absolutely! For extra-easy prep, you can use store-bought frozen meatballs. Just heat them according to package instructions, then simmer in the caramelized onion and broth mixture to soak up all that wonderful flavor.

Is there a way to make these subs vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the ground beef meatballs for your favorite plant-based meatballs or use seasoned lentil balls. Substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth, and follow the same recipe steps—Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs are delicious with a veggie twist!

What’s the best cheese for this recipe?

Provolone and Swiss are both excellent choices because they melt beautifully and echo the classic flavors of French onion soup. For a tangier flavor, try Gruyère, or mix and match for your favorite gooey combination.

How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?

For extra sturdiness, lightly toast your sub rolls in the oven before filling. You can also scoop out a little of the bread centers to fit more filling and keep the outside crisp.

Can I make Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs ahead for a crowd?

Definitely! Prepare the meatballs and onion mixture in advance, then assemble and bake the subs just before serving. This makes entertaining stress-free and ensures every sub is piping hot and melty right out of the oven.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to wow your family (and yourself!) with ultimate comfort food that’s both cozy and crave-worthy, you have to try these Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs. They’re sure to become a household favorite—don’t be surprised if you find yourself making them on repeat for every sandwich-loving crowd!

Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 subs 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in these Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs for a delicious twist on a classic comfort food. Savory meatballs are simmered in a rich onion gravy, topped with gooey cheese, and served on toasted sub rolls for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs:

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Onion Gravy:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup beef broth

Additional:

4 sub rolls or hoagie buns
8 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Prepare the meatballs: Combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into small meatballs.
Cook the meatballs: Brown meatballs in olive oil, then set aside.
Caramelize onions: Cook onions in olive oil and butter until golden. Add thyme and beef broth.
Simmer: Return meatballs to the skillet and simmer until cooked through.
Assemble subs: Fill sub rolls with meatballs, onions, and cheese. Bake until cheese melts.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and enjoy hot.