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Make restaurant quality sandwiches at home that will have your mouth watering. These meatball subs are always a hit for the entire family!

Meatball Sandwich with melted cheese on a toasted roll.

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Meatball sub sandwiches are an Italian classic! Topped with provolone and a sprinkling of parmesan, they are savory, meaty, and full of so much flavor. When we were growing up, our mom would often make a big batch of meatballs in marinara sauce and then divide it to make two meals. One night we would have spaghetti and meatballs and then later in the week we would have meatball subs. It was a great way to meal prep and knock out two meals with the effort of one.

Ingredients to make Meatball Sandwiches including rolls, marinara sauce, provolone cheese and meatballs.

How to Make Meatball Sub Sandwiches

It only takes a few ingredients to create this classic dish: meatballs, marinara sauce, provolone cheese, sandwich rolls or hoagie rolls, and fresh basil and parmesan cheese for garnish.

Assembling the sandwich is easy!

Begin by simmering the cooked meatballs in sauce for about 5 minutes. This soaks them really nicely in sauce.
Next, slice the sandwich rolls, but not all the way through, and place them on a baking sheet.
Fill the rolls with meatballs, and don’t forget to spoon sauce in there as well! Cut your provolone cheese in half and tuck inside, placing along top the inside on the meatballs in the rolls.
Next, broil on high in the oven for 2-3 minutes while watching closely so nothing burns. You just want the cheese to melt, the meatballs are already completely cooked and warm. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.

Which Meatballs Are Best?

Homemade meatballs are best, they have the most flavor. It’s easy to make your own meatballs! Whether you want something out of sight, out of mind, like a crock pot meatball, or quick and simple like the instant pot meatball or an air fryer meatball, there are options for you! Some people make their meatballs entirely out of ground beef, but a great combination is a mixture of ground beef and ground pork. Of course you can always cook up frozen meatballs as a super quick and easy alternative.

Meatballs in marinara sauce in skillet surrounded by rolls and cheese.

Toppings and Variations

Make it spicy– add chili flakes, bell peppers, or your favorite hot sauce to turn this meatball sub up to 11! Several years ago there was a Subway meatball sub called the “Michael Phelps” favorite sub that had banana peppers and jalapeños on it. To this day this is my husband’s favorite way to dress up a meatball sub.

Make it vegetarian– use meatless meatballs and follow all the same instructions for a divine, vegetarian sub that everyone can enjoy.

Make it a slider– use small rolls instead of long sandwich rolls for a bite size meatball treat or appetizer!

Add more veggies– pan fry onions, mushrooms, and garlic to go on top for a more savory, delicious taste.

Prep the bread– slather the inside of your bread with garlic butter for buttery, garlicky flavor and a softer texture.

Add more meat– slice an Italian sausage into coin shapes and pan fry until completely cooked. Add these to the simmering meatball/sauce saucepan mixture and into your bread for a delicious taste.

Three Meatball Sandwiches with melted cheese on a toasted roll.

Sides for Meatball Subs

Italian salads make a great side dish, such as caprese salad or even the Olive garden side salad. Another favorite salad is the classic Caesar salad. People also love pasta with this dish, the favorite being spaghetti. You could also be fun and go American with fries or roasted veggies.

Leftovers

If you have leftovers, it is best the keep the meatballs away from the bread so the bread doesn’t get soggy. Store the meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag in the refrigerator. According to the FDA, these will last 3-4 days in your fridge. When you are ready to eat your leftovers, you can pop the meatballs in the microwave and then assemble your sandwich, placing in in the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes like you did when you originally made the sandwich.

Baking sheet with four baked Meatball Sandwiches with fresh parmesan cheese grated on top and basil.

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