Saucy meatballs and melted cheese in toasted hoagies
Meatball Subs
Meatball Subs
40 minEasy
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6
6 subs
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Meatball Subs
Saucy meatballs and melted cheese in toasted hoagies
Juicy meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella in toasted hoagie rolls. The messy, satisfying sandwich that everyone at the table fights over.
10m
Prep Time
30m
Cook Time
40m
Total Time
6
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
These meatball subs are the kind of gloriously messy sandwich that requires a stack of napkins and zero apologies. Toasting the rolls keeps them from getting soggy while the meatballs and sauce do their saucy thing.
Ingredients
- 20 frozen or homemade meatballs
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 6 hoagie rolls, split
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- 1
Simmer meatballs in marinara sauce in a covered saucepan over medium heat for 20 minutes until heated through.
- 2
Mix softened butter with garlic powder. Spread inside each hoagie roll and toast under the broiler 1-2 minutes.
- 3
Fill each toasted roll with 3-4 meatballs. Spoon extra sauce over the top.
- 4
Top with shredded mozzarella and return to the broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- 5
Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Substitutions
Hoagie rollsFrench bread or ciabatta
Any crusty bread with a soft interior works well
MozzarellaProvolone cheese
Provolone adds a sharper, more complex flavor
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Brush the inside of the rolls with garlic butter before toasting to create a flavor-packed, sauce-resistant barrier.
Use a fork and knife or wrap the bottom in foil for less messy eating.
Storage
Refrigerate assembled subs up to 2 days, though they are best fresh. Store meatballs in sauce up to 5 days.
Reheating
Reheat meatballs in sauce on the stovetop, then assemble fresh subs.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (60mg) · 6 servings
Calories480
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein26g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat44g
Fiber880mg
Sugar3g
Sodium8g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use store-bought frozen meatballs?
- Absolutely—they are a great shortcut that still makes a delicious sub.
- What size rolls should I use?
- 6-inch hoagie or sub rolls are ideal. Italian bread cut into sections also works.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
You Might Also Like
Easy
Italian
Family Chicken Alfredo
30 min6 servings
View Recipe
Family Chicken Alfredo
30 min•Easy
Easy
Mexican
Family Beef and Bean Burritos
30 min8 servings
View Recipe
Family Beef and Bean Burritos
30 min•Easy
Easy
Chinese
Family Fried Rice
20 min6 servings
View Recipe
Family Fried Rice
20 min•Easy
Easy
Mexican
Family Beef Tacos
20 min5 servings
View Recipe
Family Beef Tacos
20 min•Easy
Easy
Italian
Homemade Pizza Night
1h 30m8 servings
View Recipe
Homemade Pizza Night
1h 30m•Easy
Easy
Mexican
Taco Tuesday Chicken Tacos
30 min6 servings
View Recipe
Taco Tuesday Chicken Tacos
30 min•Easy