Description
Delicious Cheesy French Onion Meatball Subs featuring savory homemade beef meatballs simmered in caramelized onions and beef broth, topped with melted Swiss cheese on toasted hoagie rolls. Perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner that combines rich flavors and melted cheese 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
Onion Topping and 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 subs later.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly, then shape the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs.
- Brown Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides until they have a nice crust, then remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
- Caramelize Onions: Using the same skillet, melt the butter and add the thinly sliced onions. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- Simmer Meatballs: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet with the caramelized onions. Pour in the beef broth and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through and the broth to reduce slightly.
- Prepare Subs: Slice the hoagie rolls lengthwise while keeping one side intact to act as a hinge. Place 4 meatballs in each roll, spoon generous amounts of the caramelized onions and some of the broth over the meatballs.
- Add Cheese: Top each sub with shredded Swiss cheese evenly distributed over the meatballs and onions.
- Bake Subs: Place the assembled subs on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely and is bubbly.
- Serve Hot: Remove the subs from the oven and serve immediately while hot for maximum flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions slowly over low heat develops their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Using beef broth to simmer the meatballs keeps them moist and infuses more flavor.
- For a crispier roll, you can toast the hoagie buns lightly before assembling.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Swiss cheese melts beautifully and pairs well with caramelized onions and beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
