This meatball sub sandwich is the perfect food for a crowd, bring a few napkins though. They are so easy to make, and the result is a meaty, saucy, and cheese hot sandwich.
This is one of those recipes that you make when you really want to put a frozen pizza in the oven to feed the family because that is all the energy you have. It really is that easy. Let the oven to the work for you while you spend some family time or just relax a moment for yourself.
Make this with frozen meatballs, jarred spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese, and buns. However, if you would rather make homemade meatballs and tomato sauce. We have those recipes for you too.
My family loves this and I love how easy this is. This delightful concoction, filled with savory and juicy meatballs, gooey cheese, and a generous helping of sauce, is guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
It’s the ideal choice for a hassle-free weeknight dinner that promises to please everyone around the table.
Meatball Sub Sandwich Using Frozen Meatballs
No need to spend hours on a recipe. Prep this in minutes, pop the meatballs, sauce, and cheese in the oven and when they are hot and bubbly, tuck them into buttered and toasted hoagie buns.
With the wide variety of meatball choices in the grocery store, I find myself using these more often. This recipe is a great way to use your favorite frozen meatball. We like to change things up and have Italian meatball subs once in a while. They have so much flavor and we get the ones that have the meat mixture made with beef, pork, and chicken.
Baked, Skillet, or Slow cooker Meatball Sandwiches
Make this recipe quickly in a large skillet. Just add the meatballs in a single layer. Cook over medium heat until they are thawed if using frozen. If using fresh, cook on both sides until they are almost cooked through. then add the marinara sauce. Add the cheese when assembling the sandwich.
The oven is a fantastic option for this recipe. Just pop the meatballs in a baking dish, pour on the tomato sauce, sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese and bake. During the last ten minutes of baking, place your buttered buns on a baking dish and bake so they crispy up a bit. Then assemble the homemade meatball subs.
Use the slow cooker by adding the frozen meatballs and the sauce and cook over high heat for 3 hours or low for 6 hours until everything is hot and bubbly. Then assemble the sandwiches as needed. This is a great option for game day. I can spend my time preparing other food for this easy meal or spend time with guests. Another great option to serve a crowd are these Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders.
This recipe just could not be easier. Butter and toast the Hoagie buns and spoon on the meatballs with the hot and bubbly marinara sauce and melted cheese.
Variations for this Subway Copycat Meatball Sub
Yes, this is reminiscent of the Subway sandwich with the marinara sauce, sub bun, and toppings of your choice.
Bun choices. We often use Hoagie buns for this recipe because they are a bit more like a sub bun. However, something as simple as hot dog buns would work just fine. Really, any long roll like a submarine sandwich bun, a sub bun or a hoagie roll works just fine. We do like them toasted. Just butter the inside, place on a baking sheet and pop in the oven 7-10 minutes. It adds so much crispy texture.
Protein. The protein used for the meatballs can be beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. A combination of proteins often lends to a delicious meatball with complex flavors.
Make this vegetarian. Replace the meatballs made with meat with a veggie meatball.
Cheese. I like to use a melting cheese for this recipe; however, other cheese options would work great too. American, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gruyere, Provolone cheese, Gouda, or even a Pepper Jack would be delicious choices for this sandwich. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese would work well to add another cheese flavor.
Spice. Some folks may prefer to have a bit of spice in their sub. Here are a few ideas for you. Hot sauce, a few red pepper flakes, sliced jalapenos. Sriracha mayo is a lovely way to add a bit of creaminess and heat.
Marinara sauce. This recipe calls for a store-bought shortcut, which we love. Use your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce for this recipe. However, if you prefer to make your own tomato sauce, we have that simple recipe for you further down.
Fresh Herbs. If I have fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, or oregano, I sprinkle a bit on for extra bursts of flavor here and there.
Toppings. Here are a few ideas for fresh toppings to add to this sub. Lettuce, sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, spinach, sliced onions, green pepper slices, or banana pepper slices.
How do you keep meatballs from falling out of the sub?
We used to have this problem all the time. Then I found a trick from The Pioneer Woman that helps. Before toasting the bread, just remove some of the center of the bun. This creates a bit of a cavity where the flavorful meatballs can nestle in. It really helps them stay in place. The bread that you removed can be enjoyed on the side or you can toast it and make breadcrumbs or croutons for your salad.
Meatball Sub Sandwich
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 26 ounces frozen meatballs any kind
- 45 ounces tomato sauce spaghetti sauce
- 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 10 Hoagie Rolls Split
- 10 Tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Meatballs, Sauce, and Cheese
- Place the meatballs in a 9 X 13 baking dish.26 ounces frozen meatballs
- Pour the marinara sauce over the top.45 ounces tomato sauce
- Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melty.8 ounces Mozzarella cheese
Hoagie Rolls
- While the meatballs are baking, cut the Hoagie rolls almost in half lengthwise. Add a tablespoon of butter to each roll spreading it around on both halves. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until they are lightly toasted.10 Hoagie Rolls, 10 Tablespoons Butter
Sandwich Assembly
- Spoon meatballs in the center of the bun making sure to add enough cheesy sauce to the bun.
- Add other toppings as desired
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
There is a Short Video for This Recipe
Variations for this Subway Copycat Meatball Sub
Yes, this is reminiscent of the Subway sandwich with the marinara sauce, sub bun, and toppings of your choice. Protein. The protein used for the meatballs can be beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. A combination of proteins often lends to a delicious meatball with complex flavors. Make this vegetarian. Replace the meatballs made with meat with a veggie meatball. Cheese. I like to use a melting cheese for this recipe; however, other cheese options would work great too. American, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Gruyere, Provolone, Gouda, or even a Pepper Jack would be delicious choices for this sandwich. Spice. Some folks may prefer to have a bit of spice in their sub. Here are a few ideas for you. Hot sauce, a few red pepper flakes, sliced jalapenos. Sriracha mayo is a lovely way to add a bit of creaminess and heat. Marinara sauce. Make your own or use a jarred sauce that you love. Fresh Herbs. If I have fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, or oregano, I sprinkle a bit on for extra bursts of flavor here and there. Toppings. Here are a few ideas for fresh toppings to add to this sub. Lettuce, sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, spinach, sliced onions, green pepper slices, or banana pepper slices.Nutrition
How to Store Meatball Subs
Storing meatball subs requires a bit of strategy to maintain their deliciousness. While keeping an entire assembled sub isn’t ideal due to sogginess, you can prep components separately for quick assembly later.
Simply transfer the meatballs and sauce into an airtight container, then refrigerate for up to five days. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat the meatballs and sauce in the microwave or on the stove until heated through. While they warm up, prepare your baguette for the sub and complete the assembly. This way, you’ll have a fresh and satisfying meal ready in no time.
What to Serve with Meatball Subs
Add a light side dish such as a salad to round out this meal. Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad, Berry Spring Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, or a Creamy Cucumber Salad are all great choices for a side dish.
Meatball Marinara Sub Recipe
This recipe for meatball marinara subs are the perfect meal to have when you want something easy, delicious and filling. They are super simple to make and require only a few ingredients.
Make Homemade Marinara Sauce from Scratch
While I throw this meal together quickly using a jarred sauce, if you have time or prefer to make your own, here are the ingredients to add to a skillet and cook until thick and bubbly. Just perfect for this Marinara Meatball Sandwich.
- 2 large onions diced
- 3 cloves garlic diced
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 30 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Make Homemade Meatballs from Scratch
You can make your meatballs from scratch if you choose. Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, Parmesan, and spices with your hands. Shape into evenly sized meatballs and bake until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F.
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Parmesan
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Time-saving tip: make a double batch of meatballs. Freeze one batch for the next time.
Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?
Once the meat is combined with the breadcrumbs, eggs, seasonings, and herbs, they can be pan-fried or baked. Frying the meatballs in a pan is the fastest way to get them cooked; however, baking them just takes a few minutes longer and for me, there is less chance of overcooking them. It is easy to place the meatballs in a baking pan and bake.
