Meatball Sandwiches

This recipe for meatball sandwiches is packed with tender, juicy meatballs nestled in a rich tomato sauce and topped with melty mozzarella cheese. 

Whether you’re serving these on game day, for a weeknight dinner, or as a special sandwich for family gatherings, this homemade meatball sub recipe is sure to impress. 

The best part? You can customize these subs with different bread and toppings to suit everyone’s taste!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe  

• Juicy meatballs: Made with a flavorful mix of beef and fresh herbs, these meatballs are tender and packed with the best flavor. 
• Rich tomato sauce: A tangy marinara sauce made with simple ingredients like tomato paste and whole tomatoes ensures every bite is bursting with flavor. 
• Customizable breads: Use hoagie rolls, sub rolls, or even hot dog buns for a variety of options. 
• Easy to make: Use frozen meatballs or your own meatballs to cut down on prep time. 
• Perfect for any occasion: Whether it’s game day or just a random Tuesday, these easy meatball subs will satisfy everyone. 

This recipe begins with our Easy Meatballs recipe and is just one of the many ways to serve them. Hot cheesy sandwiches are perfect for game day or as a party food main dish.

These come together quite quickly with this simple baked meatball recipe and a delightful homemade marinara sauce. These are best served piping hot, and they are easy to eat while watching sports—just saying!

Ingredients for meatball sub sandwiches

• Cooked meatballs
• Tomato paste
• Canned whole tomatoes
• Basil
• Parsley
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bread of choice
• Cheese for topping (optional)

How to make ultimate meatball sandwiches

1. Make meatballs or defrost meatballs in the microwave if frozen.
2. In a pot over medium heat, combine remaining ingredients.
3. Cook over medium heat until sauce comes to a boil.
4. Break apart whole tomatoes.
5. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Add meatballs to sauce and heat for 10-15 minutes until meatballs are heated through.

Tips for the Best Results  

• Toast your bread: A toasted bun, brushed with garlic butter, adds crunch and keeps the bread from getting soggy. 
• Use fresh herbs: Fresh parsley or basil takes the flavor to the next level. 
• Choose the right cheese: Mozzarella cheese is classic, but melty provolone cheese or parmigiano reggiano also work beautifully. 
• Simmer the sauce low and slow: Cooking over low heat deepens the flavors of the tomato sauce. 
• Layer cheese: Add a base of cheese to the bread before the meatballs to prevent the bread from soaking up too much sauce. 
• Use frozen meatballs to save time: Let’s face it, we do not always have time to make meatballs from scratch, or maybe we ran out. You can use frozen meatballs in place of homemade
  Serve for a party: If you are serving at a party, you can put the meatballs and sauce in the slow cooker for people to serve themselves.
• Sauce shortcut: You can use a store-bought marinara sauce in place of homemade in the recipe. But better yet, make the marinara sauce ahead of time and keep it on hand for many meal ideas.
• Cheese shortcut: You can use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese in this recipe.

Substitutions and Variations  

• Bread options: Swap out hoagie buns for French rolls, whole wheat bread, or even a toasted baking sheet of slices of bread for an open-faced option. 
• Protein mix: Use a mix of ground beef and ground pork for extra juicy homemade meatballs. 
• Cheese variety: Try fresh mozzarella or tangy parmesan cheese instead of classic shredded mozzarella. 
• Cooking methods: Make a big batch of meatballs in the slow cooker or air fryer for easier meal prep. 
• Extra veggies: Add sautéed peppers or onions for added texture and flavor. 

FAQs About Meatball Sandwiches 

 

More yummy party recipes

 

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