Garlic Parmesan Turkey Meatball Subs (Print Version)

Juicy turkey meatballs in rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce on toasted rolls with melted mozzarella.

# What You'll Need:

→ Turkey Meatballs

01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce

10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
11 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
13 - 1 cup whole milk
14 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
16 - Salt to taste

→ Subs

17 - 4 Italian sub rolls or hoagie rolls
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil
19 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
03 - Shape the mixture into 16 even meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
05 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
06 - Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
07 - Stir in Parmesan cheese and black pepper. Simmer until thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Add salt to taste.
08 - Add baked meatballs to the sauce, turning to coat. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
09 - Preheat broiler. Split sub rolls and brush the insides with olive oil. Toast under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
10 - Arrange 4 meatballs with sauce in each roll. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top.
11 - Return subs to the broiler for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
12 - Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Turkey keeps these meatballs light without sacrificing that satisfying, juicy texture.
  • The garlic Parmesan cream sauce elevates what could be ordinary into something restaurant-worthy.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, then assembled and broiled when hunger strikes.
  • One sandwich feels like a complete meal, warm cheese melting over herb-flecked sauce.
02 -
  • Don't skip the parchment paper when baking meatballs—it prevents sticking and makes them release cleanly when the sauce is ready.
  • If your cream sauce breaks or becomes grainy, take it off heat and whisk in a splash of cold milk to bring it back together smoothly.
03 -
  • Shape your meatballs slightly smaller than you think you need—they puff a bit in the oven and will be the perfect size for nestling into rolls.
  • Make the sauce while the meatballs bake so everything finishes around the same time and stays hot for assembly.
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