Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe (Kid Friendly)

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This meatball sub sandwich recipe is a quick recipe for any gathering that's guaranteed to become a regular in your meal rotation. The combination of perfectly seasoned meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and melted cheese, all nestled in a warm toasty roll is simply irresistible.

If you’ve been looking for some tasty, juicy meatball sub sandwiches but don’t know how to make them at home, this recipe will teach you all of it. In fact, I even have a recipe to make homemade meatballs to get the best flavor in this delicious sub sandwich.

If you enjoy this meatball sub sandwich recipe, I have more sandwich ideas to share that are perfect for a quick and tasty lunch. My turkey croissant sandwich is a simple yet elegant choice. And for a hearty breakfast that feels like a treat, you can't go past my fluffy scrambled egg sandwich.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: This meatball sub sandwich recipe is a cinch to make. With pre-made meatballs, you can have this meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Classic Flavors: It's a classic Italian dish; the combination of meatballs, marinara sauce, and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser.
Comfort Food: There's something incredibly comforting about a warm, cheesy meatball sub. It's the perfect meal for a chilly day.
Family Favorite: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults alike. It's a great way to get the whole family together for a delicious meal.
Italian Flavors: This recipe is a delicious blend of Italian flavors. From the homemade meatballs to the marinara sauce to the blend of cheeses, it's a true Italian treat.

If you’ve been looking for some tasty, juicy meatball sub sandwiches but don’t know how to make them at home, this recipe will teach you all of it.

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this meatball sub sandwich recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

Meatballs: These will be the star of our dish. Our homemade meatball recipe infuses them with Italian seasoning and paprika, giving them a rich, savory flavor.
Marinara Sauce: This will be the base of our sauce, providing a rich and tangy flavor that compliments the meatballs perfectly.
Heavy Whipping Cream: This will add a touch of creaminess to our sauce, balancing out the flavors and adding a luxurious texture.
Cheese: We'll use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This will melt into a gooey, stretchy topping that adds a savory, salty flavor to our meatball subs.
Parsley: This will be used as a fresh, peppery garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of freshness to our hearty, rich meatball subs.
Garlic: This will infuse our bread with a subtle, savory flavor, and adds a nice aroma to our meatball subs.
Butter: This will be used to toast our bread, giving it a rich, golden crust and a buttery flavor that compliments the meatballs and cheese.

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this meatball sub sandwich recipe at home.

How to Make Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe

Making this incredible meatball sub sandwich is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Prepare the Meatball Mixture

Add Sauce to Meatballs and Simmer: Use my make-ahead and freezer-friendly thaw meatballs. Place meatballs into a medium saucepan, add marinara sauce, and heavy whipping cream, and bring it to a simmer.

Reduce Heat: Reduce heat to low/medium and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Place meatballs into a medium saucepan, add marinara sauce, and heavy whipping cream, and bring it to a simmer.

Prep Bread and Cheese: Prepare the bread and cheese while the meatballs are heating. Shred the cheese and prepare the bread.

Toast the Sandwich Bread: Slice each sandwich bread halfway and lightly toast it in the toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes or so.

Add Garlic: Rub a fresh garlic clove all over the bread. This will give the bread a subtle but delicious garlic flavor.

Make the Bread Crispy: Slather both halves with butter and toast in the oven for a couple of minutes or until the bread edges are golden brown. Set aside.

Assemble the Meatball Sub Sandwiches

Arrange the Meatballs: Place 4 meatballs onto the bottom of each sandwich bread (I prefer to cut each meatball in half and place it with the cut side onto a bun if serving kids).

Add the Cheese: Top the meatballs with your mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend. For an extra kick, you can also sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes.

Melt the Cheese: Toast both sandwiches in the toaster oven just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve and Enjoy: Let the sandwiches cool for a minute or two, then serve and enjoy your delicious, homemade meatball subs!

This meatball sub sandwich recipe is a cinch to make. With pre-made meatballs, you can have this meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Tips for Making the Best Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe

Choose the Right Meatballs: For a delicious meatball sub, opt for homemade meatballs or high-quality store-bought ones. The meatballs will be the star of your sub, so make sure they're flavorful and well-seasoned.
Simmer for Flavor: Let your meatballs simmer in the marinara sauce and cream for at least 15 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together, and the meatballs will absorb the delicious sauce, making every bite tasty and satisfying.
Toast the Bread: Toast your sandwich bread with butter and a rub of fresh garlic. This extra step adds a wonderful crunch and a depth of flavor to your meatball sub sandwich.
Choose the Right Cheese: For a perfect melt and a rich flavor, use a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The mozzarella will give you that great cheese pull, while the parmesan adds a nutty, savory flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for the perfect pairing for your meatball sub sandwich? Here are a few serving suggestions to complement your flavorful, Italian-inspired meatball sub:

Italian Soda: For a refreshing and bubbly drink that compliments the rich flavors of the meatball sub, try serving it with Italian Soda. The sweet and fizzy nature of the drink makes it a perfect pair for your savory sub.
Caesar Salad: The crisp and refreshing Caesar salad is a perfect side for your meatball sub. The tangy dressing and crisp lettuce provide a nice contrast to the rich flavors of the meatball and cheese.
Spicy Marinara Sauce: For those who like a bit of heat, serve your meatball sub with a side of spicy marinara sauce. The extra twist of red pepper flakes in the sauce pairs perfectly with the savory meatballs and cheese.
Cannoli: For a sweet ending to your Italian-inspired meal, serve a classic cannoli for dessert. The sweet, creamy ricotta filling is a perfect way to round off the savory flavors of the meatball sub.

Recipe Variation Ideas

This delicious meatball sub sandwich recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

Italian Twist: For those who love the robust flavors of Italian cuisine, this variation is a must-try. Simply substitute the regular meatballs with Italian sausage meatballs and add a few fresh basil leaves to the marinara sauce.
Spicy: If you're a fan of spicy food, this variation is perfect for you. Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce. This will give your meatball sub a nice kick of heat that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the meatballs and cheese.
Cheese Variation: For cheese lovers, this variation is a must. Replace the mozzarella and parmesan blend with provolone cheese. The distinct sharp and tangy flavor of provolone cheese will add a delicious twist to your meatball sub sandwich.
BBQ Style: For a tangy and sweet flavor, try this BBQ style variation. Instead of using marinara sauce, substitute it with your favorite BBQ sauce. The tangy and sweet flavor of the BBQ sauce will give your meatball sub a whole new delicious twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of meatballs are best suited for this recipe?

For this meatball sub sandwich recipe, any type of meatballs can work, but homemade ones will give you the best flavor.

Can I use store-bought pre-cooked meatballs instead of homemade ones?

Absolutely! Using store-bought pre-cooked meatballs is a great time-saving option. Just make sure they're fully thawed and add them to the marinara sauce to heat through.

What alternative cheeses can I use if I don't have a mozzarella and parmesan blend?

If you don't have mozzarella and parmesan, you can use provolone cheese or an Italian cheese blend. Both will melt beautifully and add a rich, savory flavor to your meatball sub.

Can I use a different type of bread other than French bread sandwich rolls?

Yes, you can. While French bread rolls are traditional, you can also use hoagies or sub rolls. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold the meatballs and sauce.

Can I make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and freeze them?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can freeze the meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Store Leftovers

Fridge: Simply place the leftover meatball subs in an airtight container. They will be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: I recommend assembling the sandwich fresh and freezing the meatballs instead since an entire assembled meatball sub sandwich will not freeze well or retain its shape when thawed and reheated.

This recipe is a delicious blend of Italian flavors. From the homemade meatballs to the marinara sauce to the blend of cheeses, it's a true Italian treat.

Recipe Card

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