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Easy Italian Sub Sandwiches with Frozen Meatballs

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are a super easy weeknight dinner idea that the whole family will love. This recipe only requires a few ingredients, and the meatballs and sauce can be heated in advance in your Crock-pot. When it’s time for dinner, the sandwiches only need about 10 minutes in the oven and then dinner is on the table!

Italian Meatball Subs on Wheat Bread

Are you tired of the mundane, lackluster sandwiches that dominate your dinner time routine? 

Well, it’s time to break free from the monotony and embark on a flavor-packed journey with mouthwatering Italian subs. 

Picture this: succulent meatballs, vibrant sauce, and the perfect balance of melty cheese and toasty bread. 

Now, here’s the best part – you can create this culinary masterpiece using frozen meatballs. 

Yes, it’s that easy!

We’re going to share a simple yet irresistible recipe that will revolutionize your sandwich game and have your taste buds dancing with joy. 

Get ready to transform your busy nights with these easy meatball subs!

Disclosure – I may get a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links in this post.

Baked Meatball Subs

💡 Let’s Make Things Easy, okay?

Make delicious Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches the easy way with frozen meatballs and jarred pasta sauce. 

Choose between homestyle, Italian-style, or turkey meatballs for your recipe. 

Any jarred spaghetti sauce will do, but I like to use Prego Traditional.

And add a touch of McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning for extra flavor. 

To save time, heat the sauce and meatballs in your slow cooker. 

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours. 

Since the meatballs are pre-cooked, just make sure they are heated through. 

For easy cleanup, cover your baking sheet with aluminum foil and give it a spray of nonstick cooking spray. 

No worries about the cheese spilling over – cleaning up will be a breeze. Enjoy these mouthwatering Italian subs with minimum effort and maximum taste!

You can use any jarred spaghetti sauce that you like.

I usually go with Prego Traditional pasta sauce then kick it up with a teaspoon or so of Italian seasoning, like the McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning.

That’s my secret to many great Italian dishes.

To save time, the sauce and meatballs can be heated in your Crock-pot.

Try cooking on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

The frozen meatballs are already pre-cooked so you’ll just want to make sure they are heated through.

Cheesy Italian Meatball Subs

🔑 Key to Success #1 – Use Frozen Meatballs for Convenience

The great thing about using frozen meatballs is that they’re already cooked and seasoned to perfection. 

Choose between homestyle, Italian-style, or turkey meatballs for your recipe. 

Not only do frozen meatballs save you time and effort, but they also deliver on taste. 

They’re made with high-quality ingredients and are packed with all the flavors you crave in an Italian sub sandwich.

Whether you prefer traditional beef and pork meatballs or opt for a lighter chicken or turkey version, the frozen aisle has got you covered. 

All you have to do is pop them in the oven, heat them up on the stovetop over low or medium heat, or make crockpot meatballs in your slow cooker.

And let’s not forget about the juicy, tender texture that hot meatballs bring to the table. 

It’s the perfect complement to the crusty bread and melty cheese that make Italian subs so irresistible.

​If you have leftover meatballs, they’ll be perfect in this easy meatball sub recipe.

Or you can make your own homemade meatballs using any of your favorite meatball recipes.

Meatball Sandwich

🔑 Key to Success #2 – Use Your Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

Using your favorite tomato sauce is the second key to revolutionizing your meatball sandwich recipe. 

Just like the frozen meatballs, the right sauce can take your sandwich to a whole new level of deliciousness. 

The rich tomato flavors in your favorite jar of spaghetti sauce will infuse every bite of your Italian sub, bringing a burst of tanginess to the sub party.

The acidity and sweetness of jar of marinara sauce will balance out the savory meatballs and creamy cheese, creating a flavor combination that will make your taste buds sing. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties of store-bought marinara and find the one that perfectly matches your personal preference.

🔑 Key to Success #3 – Melty Cheese and Toasty Bread

When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your Italian sub, you have a myriad of options. 

Fresh mozzarella is a classic choice, with its creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. 

Provolone is another popular choice, providing a slightly sharper taste that cuts through the richness of the meatballs and sauce.

Simply place slices of provolone cheese over the meatballs and sauce then toast as directed. 

The bread is the foundation of any great sandwich, and when it comes to Italian subs, toasting is key. 

A lightly toasted roll adds a delightful crunch and brings out the flavors of the fillings even more. 

Whether you prefer a soft, fluffy roll or a crusty baguette, make sure you toast up your sub before serving.

In a pinch, you can throw together your Italian subs on any hoagie buns or even toasted hot dog buns.

Top the sub rolls with 4-5 meatballs and extra sauce then layer on your cheese. 

The meatball sandwiches need to bake in a 400 degree F oven for about 10-15 minutes, just until the sandwich rolls start to crisp up and the cheese melts.

Baked Meatball Subs

What to Serve with Italian Meatball Subs

A well-chosen side dish can complement the flavors of the sub and elevate your overall dining experience.

One classic option to serve with Italian meatball subs is a fresh green salad. 

The crispness of the greens provides a refreshing contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the meatballs and is perfect topped shaved Parmesan cheese. 

If you’re looking for something heartier to serve alongside your Italian meatball subs, consider making a batch of crispy oven-baked fries. 

The crispy exterior and fluffy interior of the fries make for the perfect contrast to the soft and tender meatballs. 

You can sprinkle them with some Italian seasoning or grated Parmesan to tie in the flavors of the sub.

For those who enjoy a touch of elegance with their sandwiches, serving Italian meatball subs with a side of roasted vegetables is a winning choice. 

Roasting vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant brings out their natural sweetness and adds a delightful smoky flavor. 

Drizzle them with some extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast them until they are caramelized and tender.

No matter which side dish you choose, this meal is sure to be one that the entire family will ask for again and again.

Save the Meatball Sub images below to your Meatball board or your Easy Weeknight Meals board!

Oven Baked Italian Meatball Subs

📌 Get the Printable Recipe for Meatball Sub Sandwiches

Save the Meatball Sub images below to your Meatball board or your Easy Weeknight Meals board!

Oven-Baked Meatball Subs
Italian Meatball Subs

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches

Yield: 6 sandwiches
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are a super easy dinner option for busy families. You can use frozen meatballs and jarred spaghetti sauce to make dinner even faster. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg (6-count) soft white sub rolls, uncut
  • 1 pkg frozen meatballs
  • 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. In medium saucepan, combine frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice sub rolls being careful not to slice all the way through. Place 4-5 meatballs in each roll then top with additional sauce. Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  3. Bake sub sandwiches in oven for 10-15 minutes until sandwiches are hot and cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. 

Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions: Combine frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning in a 4-qt Crock Pot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are heated through.

Instant Pot Instructions: Combine frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, and Italian seasoning in the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 644mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 18g

Nutrition Information Provided For Educational and Informational Purposes Only.

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