I'm Making John Krasinski's 4-Ingredient Sandwich on Repeat

It takes just 15 minutes to make.

After PEOPLE crowned John Krasinski 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive, I couldn’t resist diving deep into his world. I quickly discovered his ultimate comfort food and go-to sandwich: a simple yet irresistible four-ingredient meatball sub. On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Krasinski said, “You can get a meatball sub anywhere, any time, and they’re delicious.”

Growing up in South Brooklyn, where Italian American communities thrive, I remember spotting meatball subs on the menus of countless pizzerias and Italian eateries. However, while I’ve eaten my fair share of pizza, lasagna, pasta alla vodka, and garlic knots, I’ve probably only eaten one to two meatball subs in my entire life. Well, that number’s about to skyrocket.

Why? Because meatball subs are also very easy to assemble at home, especially when your ingredients are prepped and ready. It took me around 15 minutes to make two meatball subs for lunch.

How To Make John Krasinski's Favorite Sandwich

To make two sandwiches you'll need:

• 2 hoagie rolls
• 6 large frozen meatballs, thawed and cooked
• Marinara sauce
• Mozzarella cheese

I thawed 6 Rosina Italian-style meatballs in the microwave, then cooked them in a saucepan with marinara sauce until the sauce bubbled. I used store-bought marinara sauce from Yo Mama’s (yes, I bought this jar because of the name), but there are plenty of great, highly recommended options available.

To assemble the subs, add three sauced-up meatballs to each hoagie roll. Spoon the heated marinara sauce over the meatballs and top them with shredded mozzarella. How much cheese you add is up to you. Despite my lactose intolerance, I added a generous sprinkle. Then, bake the assembled subs at 350°F until the cheese melts and the hoagie rolls are crispy, 10 to 15 minutes.

As is, the subs were delicious and so satisfying. And there you have it, the ultimate four-ingredient meatball sub, simple yet absolutely deserving of its spot as this year’s sexiest man alive’s go-to sandwich.

If you’re like me, though, and always want to make things more delicious, here’s how to elevate this four-ingredient sandwich.

My Tips for an Upgraded Meatball Sandwich

• Add more cheese, like a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, before and after baking the subs. Parmesan adds nutty depth and additional umami.
• Add fresh basil. The appealing pop of green and fresh, spicy-minty flavors of the basil really enhance the entire sandwich.
• Add more flavor to the marinara sauce. I mixed a little granulated sugar, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of MSG into my tomato sauce. I found Yo Mama’s marinara sauce a bit one-note and tangy, and all my inclusions amped up the flavors of the sauce.
• Use olive oil! Drizzle olive oil over the hoagie rolls before baking and then over the subs after baking. The hoagie becomes crisper, and the olive oil adds richness. It's a chef’s kiss that ties all the other flavors together.

With my tweaks, we now have meatball subs that can contend for The Sexiest Sandwich Ever title.