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With a few simple tips, you can make a perfect meatball sub at home. Tender meatballs and just the right amount of sauce are tucked into a garlic-toasted roll and layered with melty provolone. Every bite is flavorful, cheesy, and never soggy.
Looking for more hearty and flavorful sandwiches? Don't miss my recipes for Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches, Homemade Sloppy Joes, and Ham and Cheese Sliders.
Kristen's Keys to Making the Best Meatball Subs
The difference between a good meatball sub and a great meatball sub is all in the details. Paying attention to these tips will help ensure the best results.
- Choose sturdy rolls. A thick hoagie or sub roll works best. Softer buns like hot dog rolls can work in a pinch, but they tend to collapse under the weight of the meatballs.
- Flavor and toast the buns first. Toasting the buns helps the bread from absorbing too much sauce and falling apart. Brushing them with garlic-infused olive oil before toasting begins to build incredible flavor.
- Start with meatballs you love. I love using homemade baked meatballs as they are super flavorful and tender, but any variety of Italian meatballs you like here will work.
- Don't drown the meatballs in sauce. You only need enough sauce to coat the meatballs. Too much sauce will slide everywhere and soak the bread.
- Use cheese as a barrier. Laying provolone directly on the toasted bread creates a protective layer. As it melts, it helps prevent sauce from soaking into the bun.
How to Make a Homemade Meatball Sub Sandwich
It all comes down to layering flavor strategically!
Step One: Warm the Meatballs
Place your cooked or thawed meatballs in a saucepan and add just enough spaghetti sauce to coat them. Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warmed through.
Step Two: Prepare Rolls
In a small bowl, mix olive oil with a bit of garlic and oregano. Brush this mixture over the inside of each roll, which will flavor the buns and help them brown beautifully.
Place the rolls cut-side up on a baking sheet, place them into the oven, and bake for about 5 minutes, or until just lightly golden.
Step Three: Assemble Subs
Remove the toasted rolls from the oven and lay thin slices of provolone across the bread. Let the slices overlap slightly so the entire surface of the roll is covered.
Place 3-4 meatballs into each roll. You want enough meatballs to stretch the length of the bun without piling them too high. If the meatballs are large, three may be perfect. Smaller meatballs might need four.
Top the meatballs with an additional slice or two of provolone. This second layer melts over the meatballs and pulls everything together into one delicious, cheesy bite.
Step Four: Bake
Return the assembled subs to the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
Serving Tips & Suggestions
Meatball Subs should be served immediately after preparing, as even toasted, they can quickly become soggy.
To turn these subs into a dinner the entire family will rave about, serve with one of the following side dishes.
Meatball Subs
Ingredients
- 18 large Italian-style meatballs, defrosted if frozen
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 6 hoagie buns, or sub rolls
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 18 slices provolone cheese, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉.
- In a small saucepan, combine the meatballs with the spaghetti sauce and simmer over low heat until just warmed through. Alternatively, place meatballs and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 1-minute intervals, until warmed through.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil with the garlic and oregano.
- Place the buns on a baking sheet and brush the opened sides of the buns with the olive oil mixture. Bake for 5 minutes, or until just lightly browned.
- Remove the buns from the oven and place 2 slices of provolone cheese on each bun, slightly overlapping if needed, to cover the opened surface. Top each bun with 3 large meatballs. Add an additional slice or two of cheese on top of the meatballs to cover the meatballs. You essentially want the meatballs to be enveloped in cheese on all sides.
- Return to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Close the sandwich and serve meatball subs immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These buns look perfect. May i ask which brand you use? The only ones i can ever find are split all the way through, and the meatballs always fall out of the bottom. Please and thank you!
Hi there! These were actually from the bakery department at my Harris Teeter. You cut them open yourself so I was able to control how far they were sliced. I believe Nature's Own are not split the full way as well.
This is so delicious.My family loves them.
Thanks for sharing Vickie!
I love all the tips, and these subs look so scrumptious! And thank you for the meatball recipe too. My husband would love this!
YAY!!! This is a winner in my husband's book as well!
My kids would love this for dinner. I love all of the step by step directions, it makes it so much easier.
So glad the tips help! Enjoy!
Is it okay to use extra virgin olive oil? Thanx for your reply
Absolutely!