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Easy, cheesy and delicious, homemade Meatball Sub Sandwiches are sure to satisfy and so much better than you can get in a fast-food restaurant!
What do you do with a freezer full of Homemade Italian Meatballs? Make delicious dinners of course! Seriously, I love having ready-made dinners in the freezer and meatballs are the perfect jumping off spot to cut prep time. As I’ve mentioned before, we usually have a monthly Sunday supper with our two adult children, their spouses and our grandchildren. I normally cook, so anything that can be done ahead is a bonus.
I recently made a double batch of our homemade Italian Meatballs, intending to serve them for Sunday supper. But then the nasty, horrible, icky flu got ahold of me and put me down for more than a week, so we had to cancel dinner this month. My poor little granddaughter got the flu too, poor baby. We’re both on the mend, but I still haven’t gotten my strength back. I hope you’ve stayed healthy this winter – being sick is the pits! Thank goodness I’m able to pull out a few frozen meatballs and make an incredibly delicious dinner in a flash!
These meatball sub sandwiches taste like I fussed for hours, but that’s not at all the case.
We had a jar of marinara sauce on hand so all we needed was a couple of sub rolls and provolone cheese. There are only a few steps to making this amazing sandwich but the most important is preparing the sub rolls. Cut each roll in half, then place cut side down in a large preheated skillet with olive oil. This is the same method used when making our favorite Bruschetta Recipe. Cook until the rolls are golden brown, then remove from the skillet and generously rub the toasted sides with a large cut clove of garlic. Toasting the bread helps keep it from turning to mush when you add the sauce, and it adds so much flavor and crunch – wow it’s good.
If you don’t have a freezer full of homemade meatballs, store-bought will do in a pinch.
Top the sandwich with provolone or mozzarella, and a little Parmesan too. I used a jar of low-sodium organic marinara sauce from Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialties by Steve Schirripa. If you have it in your stores, I recommend giving it a try. Serve with extra sauce on the side!
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- 6-8 meatballs, cooked (baked or heated in sauce)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (plus more for serving if desired)
- 2 sub rolls, split lengthwise
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (more or less as needed)
- 1 large clove garlic, split lenghtwise
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, if desired
- 2 large slices of provolone cheese
- chopped parsley for garnish
Prepare fresh or frozen meatballs according to package directions. If using our meatball recipe, you can microwave the frozen meatballs at 50% power for about 4-5 minutes. Add the marinara and meatballs to a medium saucepan and heat on medium-low until warmed through.
While the meatballs are warming, prepare the sub rolls. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, place the sub rolls cut side down in the pan. Heat until the bread is toasted and golden brown. Remove from the pan and place the bottoms of the rolls on a small baking sheet. Rub all four toasted sides of the rolls with the cut side of the garlic. Be generous with the garlic! Discard the used garlic. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Preheat oven on Low-Broil. Divide the meatballs on the bottom half of each roll (no need to broil the other half of the sub roll as it's already toasted) Add a little extra sauce on top of each, then top with the provolone cheese. Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and broil on low until the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Immediately place the top of the roll on the meatballs and press gently. Secure with a toothpick if desired. Serve immediately.
I love my heavy-duty quarter-sheet pan for this kind of recipe – click on the photo for more information:
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If you love a good hearty sandwich as much as we do, you might also enjoy these drool-worthy Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. We have a recipe for a delicious meatless version for a Vegetarian French Dip with Mushroom Jus that’s worth a try! Also love this Italian Club Sandwich Recipe from Fifteen Spatulas – it must be so delicious. Finally, these super easy and quick New England Style Shrimp Rolls from The View from Great Island are on my list of must makes. They’d be great for a casual party on the deck.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Tricia
Susan says
I was so afraid I would catch the flu or a cold before we left on vacation and I’m so happy to report that I stayed healthy! You never know what you’re going to run into on an airplane! Hope you’re back to normal by now and have your strength back. I’m pinning these mouth-watering meatball subs for when we get our weight back down after eating too well on vacation 🙂
Tricia Buice says
I am feeling much better now Susan – thanks so much for asking! I can’t wait to see/hear more about your vacation. I really need one myself – it’s been a long winter!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I have meatballs in the freezer too! How lucky am I that now I can toast my roll? Honestly I think I’ll make mine with cheese, sauce and roll and give the meatballs to Manservant. Because I guess that’s the way I roll. Sorry I couldn’t help myself. These look divine. Pinning! And hope you are feeling better. We have managed to avoid the nasty three letter word.
Tricia Buice says
Haha – you are on a roll Abbe! Pun intended hehe. Yes I am feeling much better now and may never, ever, ever go to one of those kid filled bounce house birthday parties ever again. What a germ fest it must be! Thanks Abbe 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I haven’t had a meatball sub in ages! And they’re SO GOOD! Yours look terrific — wonderful photos. Sorry about the flu — it’s been really nasty this year. 🙁
Tricia Buice says
Thanks John – a good meatball sandwich is a nice splurge every now and then!
Gerlinde says
I love meatballs in sandwiches, it is comfort food at its best. Your photos are great and make me hungry. As soon as I have some leftover meatballs I will make this. Thank you Tricia!
Tricia Buice says
Me too Gerlinde – thank you so much!
Mimi says
I’m not big on sandwiches, personally, I guess because I gain weight just looking at bread. But boy do these look yummy. A great way to use leftover meatballs! Gorgeous photos.
Tricia Buice says
I hear you Mimi – eating lots of bread is the easiest way in the world to pack on pounds – but every now and then, it sure is a wonderful treat! Thank you so much 🙂
Liz says
I have not made these in ages! The hubby was SO happy with the results. LOVE your gorgeous photos—I’ll add your meatball subs to our menu soon 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Liz! It’s a totally satisfying sandwich for sure 🙂
Monique says
Hope you feel 100% soon:) The subs look great:)
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Monique – me too – and thanks!
Larry says
Looks so good, I almost licked my screen. I sometimes wish our family was around so we could have Sunday dinner together.
Tricia Buice says
That would be great fun Larry – thank you!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I grew up on these, Tricia, since we lived in an area of NY that had a lot of Italians, there were amazing little Italian restaurants and delis all over, and meatball subs were my all time favorite, it’s on the menu for this week!
Tricia Buice says
I bet those were some fantastic sub sandwiches Sue! Thanks 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I am a huge meatball sub fan, dating back to my teenage years (and that was a long time ago!). So yes, I’m all over this one 🙂 I will be putting this on the menu soon!
Tricia Buice says
It’s hard not to love these sandwiches – so hearty, cheesy and delicious!
Chris Scheuer says
So sorry you’ve been sick Tricia – hope you feel back to yourself soon! These meatball sandwiches do look like they would cure just about anthying though! Delicious! Pinning and sharing!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Chris – me too! Thanks for sharing and pinning!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
You have me craving a meatball sandwich! It looks so good with melted cheese, Tricia.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Angie – I think I could eat this for breakfast this morning. Yummy stuff 🙂