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    Home » Recipes » Burgers, Sandwiches, etc

    Meatball Sub Sandwiches

    Published: Dec 18, 2024 by Ned Adams · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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    Everyone loves a delicious sandwich and with simple ingredients, these cheesy easy Meatball Sub Sandwiches are no exception. While we think this is the best meatball sub recipe, after the first bite, you'll agree too.

    Sonoran Style Dogs and Cheddar Bacon Beer Brats are two more delicious sandwiches you should try.

    Cast iron baking sheet with six toasted meatballs subs.
    Jump to:
    • What's the difference between a Hoagie, Sub, Hero, or Grinder
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to make meatball subs
    • What to serve with meatball sub sandwiches
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Italian style Sandwiches
    • Other Related Italian Inspired Recipes
    • Get the Recipe

    What's the difference between a Hoagie, Sub, Hero, or Grinder

    Many people use the words subs, hoagies, heroes, and grinders interchangeably, especially subs and hoagies. But is there really a difference between them all?

    Short answer: not really. They're all subs.

    Cast iron skillet fresh from the oven of meatballs, sauce, and cheese ready to be added into sub rolls.

    It's geography that makes them all different. For example a sandwich on a submarine shaped roll, where the name sub has derived from, in New York is called a hero, but in New England, it's a grinder. The hoagie hails from Philadelphia. If you're in New Orleans, you'll order a Po'Boy.

    Some say hoagies tend to have a bit harder crust while subs are soft and tender. Wasn't it Shakespeare who said:

    "What's in a name? That which we call a sub, by any other name would taste just as great," or something like that anyway.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Labeled ingredient image: meatballs, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, basil, and sub rolls.

    Meatballs — we used our homemade meatball recipe that were already cooked. Cooked meatballs are the easiest way to make this recipe. We toss any leftover meatballs in a freezer bag for recipes just like this.

    Cheese — why use one type of cheese when you can use two? You'll want both mozzarella and Parmesan. Use the block kind and grate them yourself for best results.

    Sauce — we used jarred marinara sauce to make this recipe the easiest it could be. Homemade marinara sauce or any tomato sauce based sauce like spaghetti sauce will do.

    Bread — actual sub rolls were used in the recipe, soft bread that we toasted.

    Basil — technically it's optional but it does add a bit of freshness along with hint sweetness to the recipe.

    Variations

    Bread — hoagie rolls, French bread, even hot dog buns will work

    Meatballs — pre-cooked frozen meatballs, meatball recipes made from different meats (ground meat such as ground turkey, ground pork, or Italian sausage.)

    Extra flavor — freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh herbs like fresh parsley or oregano, or spread garlic butter inside the sub rolls before adding the warm meatballs and cheese.

    How to make meatball subs

    Homemade cooked meatballs being added to a cast iron skillet.

    Step 1 — Preheat oven to 400°F. Add the meatballs to the skillet.

    Marinara sauce has been added, now covering all the meatballs.

    Step 2 — Cover the meatballs with pasta sauce. Give everything a good stir to make sure the meatballs are covered.

    Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses along with chopped basil top the saucy meatballs in a skillet.

    Step 3 — Top with most of the Parmesan cheese, then the mozzarella cheese, reserving a bit to sprinkle on the individual sandwiches. If using, garnish with freshly chopped basil.

    Fresh from the oven cheesy, saucy meatballs in a skillet.

    Step 4 — Bake for 15 minutes uncovered or until the meatballs are heated through and the cheese has melted.

    Meatballs sub sandwiches ready to be served with fresh basil leaves garnishing the baking pan.

    Step 5 — Slice the bread open, and place the meatballs and melty cheese. Sprinkle a bit more of the remaining freshly grated cheeses and some fresh basil. Place them on a cast iron baking tray and pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to melt the new top layer of cheese and toast the sub rolls.

    What to serve with meatball sub sandwiches

    • Chips or pretzels
    • Pickle spears or giardiniera
    • Green salad, antipasti, or fruit salad
    A meatball sub cut in half to show the texture of the meatballs.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use dried basil?

    Yes, add the desired amount as a topping. Italian seasoning is also a great addition instead of just basil.

    Can I use provolone cheese?

    Oh yes! You can use it instead of or in addition to the cheeses. Replace mozzarella with slices of provolone or add the slices between the Parmesan and mozzarella layers.

    Can I use still frozen meatballs instead of thawed?

    Increase the cooking time to at least 30 minutes. We also recommend you cover the skillet so the cheesy top doesn't over cook and burn; uncover during the last 10 minutes allowing the cheese to melt.

    More Italian style Sandwiches

    • Italian Grinder Sandwich
    • Pesto Caprese Sandwich
    • Mortadella, Burrata, and Pesto Panino
    • Italian Beef Sandwich
    Skillet of homemade meatballs topped with cheese and basil with sub rolls in the background.

    Other Related Italian Inspired Recipes

    • A close up side shot of a slice of pasta showing the layers of cheese, sauce, and noodles.
      Baked Spaghetti Casserole
    • A hearty serving of Sausage Tortellini Casserole on a white plate with a piece of garlic bread and a fork.
      Dutch Oven Sausage Tortellini Casserole
    • Meatballs tossed in pasta sauce in a white serving bowl garnished with fresh parsley.
      Skillet Italian Meatballs
    • The camp oven lasagna has cooked, rested, and been garnished with fresh basil and is ready to serve.
      Dutch Oven Lasagna

    If you tried these Meatball Subs or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    Get the Recipe

    Meatballs sub sandwiches ready to be served with fresh basil leaves garnishing the baking pan.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Meatball Subs

    Everyone loves a delicious sandwich and with simple ingredients, these cheesy easy Meatball Sub Sandwiches are no exception.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time15 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 441kcal
    Author: Ned Adams
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 12" cast iron skillet
    • Cast iron baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • 18 homemade meatballs
    • 24 oz pasta sauce
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
    • 8 oz mozzarella cheese freshly grated
    • 6 sub rolls
    • fresh basil
    US Standard - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F. Add the meatballs to the skillet.
    • Cover the meatballs with pasta sauce.
    • Top with most of the Parmesan cheese, then the mozzarella cheese, reserving a bit to sprinkle on the individual sandwiches.
    • If using, add freshly chopped basil.
    • Bake for 15 minutes uncovered or until the meatballs are heated through and the cheese has melted.
    • Slice the bread open, and place the meatballs and melty cheese.
    • Sprinkle a bit more of the remaining freshly grated cheeses and some fresh basil.
    • Place them on a cast iron baking tray and pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to melt the new top layer of cheese and toast the sub rolls.

    Notes

    Homemade Italian Meatballs

    Variations
    Bread — hoagie rolls, French bread, even hot dog buns will work
    Meatballs — pre-cooked frozen meatballs, meatball recipes made from different meats (ground meat such as ground turkey, ground pork, or Italian sausage.)
    Extra flavor — freshly ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, fresh herbs like fresh parsley or oregano, or spread garlic butter inside the sub rolls before adding the warm meatballs and cheese.
    What do serve with meatball subs
    • Chips or pretzels
    • Pickle spears or giardiniera
    • Green salad, antipasti, or fruit salad

    Nutrition

    Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 1157mg | Potassium: 490mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 782IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 268mg | Iron: 12mg

    Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and rating below or Tag @DutchOvenDaddy on Instagram to show us your photos!

    More Mouthwatering Cast Iron Burger and Sandwich Recipes

    • Braised beer brats on buns topped with toppings to serve as a sandwich.
      Juicy Cast Iron Beer Brats
    • A platter of individual toppings with one hot dog full assembled.
      Sonoran Style Hotdogs
    • Two cheeseburgers in a bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato with french fries between them.
      Cast Iron Skillet Burgers
    • Smoked pulled pork in a bun topped with coleslaw.
      Smoked Boston Butt {Pulled Pork}

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. D says

      December 20, 2024 at 7:09 am

      5 stars
      Yummy!!

      Reply
    2. Dina and Bruce says

      September 15, 2024 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      We made these this week, and they were a huge hit! So cheesy!

      Reply
      • Ned Adams says

        September 17, 2024 at 8:30 am

        Awesome!! So glad they were a hit!

        Reply
    3. Alison says

      December 03, 2022 at 9:10 am

      5 stars
      It was a meal that my picky kids actually loved.

      Reply
      • Dutch Oven Daddy says

        December 04, 2022 at 6:24 pm

        That's always a win, isn't it!?!

        Reply
    4. Travis says

      December 03, 2022 at 7:35 am

      5 stars
      My kids are big meatball fans so this one went over well. It is great to make something that kids will actually eat.

      Reply
    picture of dutch oven daddy holding a dutch oven.

    Hi I'm Ned,

    the Dutch Oven Daddy! I’m a full-time computer nerd and part-time cook. My passion is cast iron cooking with tips, tricks, and delicious recipes. I love using my recipes to bring together family and friends. I believe everything is made better in cast iron!

    More about me

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