Subway Meatball Marinara Sub Copycat Recipe

There are a lot of great comfort foods out there, and given the subjectivity of what constitutes the ideal comfort food, it's impossible to call any one option the best. But if your go-to choice is the Subway Meatball Marinara Sub sandwich, then you are surely far from alone. The elegant simplicity of meatballs, sauce, cheese, and bread is a combination that's hard to beat. "This is such a classic recipe, and I used to get this all the time," says chef and recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge, "but it's great to know that it can be made easily from home."

And easy is the name of the game with this Subway Meatball Marinara Sub copycat recipe, especially if you use pre-made meatballs. (Sure, the sandwich will be all the more special with homemade meatballs, but frankly, it will taste more like a copycat with store-bought meatballs.) Assuming you have all your ingredients on hand, all you need is about 20 minutes to prepare this classic sandwich at home — that's faster than you could get to Subway and back anyway. And plus, now there's no need to get out of your PJs. Comfort food indeed, right?

Just don't plan on any leftovers with this one. "There is no saving these," says Olayinka, "they don't keep and are best to eat as soon as possible."

Sometimes, less really is more. This Subway Meatball Marinara Sub copycat recipe calls for just five ingredients, and that's including the oil you'll use to cook the meatballs. You will need beef meatballs, a slice of processed cheese, a bread roll, marinara sauce, and the aforementioned vegetable oil. As it is when you order from an actual Subway, it's your call on what type of bread roll you choose.

And don't worry if you don't eat meat. "This can totally be made with vegetable meatballs," says Olayinka, "just be sure to get some firm ones so that's the texture is akin to meat."

Pour the three tablespoons of oil into a frying pan, and turn the burner to medium heat. Once the pan has heated up, fry the meatballs until they are fully cooked, which will take about 12 to 15 minutes. Stir every minute or so to be sure all sides of each meatball cook and brown.

While the meatballs are cooking, slice your bread roll in half, and cut the square of cheese into two equal triangles. Then, put the cooked meatballs aside on a paper towel so the excess oil can drip off.

Pour the excess oil out of the pan (no need to fully clean it with soap and a sponge and towel or anything), and then pour the marinara into the same pan. Turn the heat to medium and stir the sauce for about one to two minutes so that it can be warm up evenly.

Now it's time to assemble this Subway Meatball Marinara Sub copycat recipe. First, place the meatballs onto the bottom piece of bread. Next, spoon on the sauce, then top that with the sliced cheese, close the bread, and enjoy!

"As this is a great lunch option, the best thing to pair these with is piece of fruit, a packet of [chips], and a lovely drink on the side," says Olayinka.