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For an easy 5-minute dinner in the oven or in the Crock Pot, just toss together these 5-Ingredient Dump-and-Bake Meatball Subs! Adjust the recipe to serve just one or two people…or make meatball subs for a crowd!
This hardly qualifies as a “recipe,” because it’s really just a simple idea. My meatball marinara sub recipe is one of those dinners that you share with your girlfriends while you’re chatting at a play date or taking a long walk. It’s a “mom hack” that helps get dinner on the table, even when you don’t feel like cooking!
You guys regularly request recipes that serve just one or two people, and this just happens to be one of those flexible options. You can make one meatball sub for a single diner, or you can prepare multiple trays of meatball subs to feed a crowd!
Just thaw as many meatballs and hoagie rolls as you like, and leave the rest in the freezer for another meal.
How do you make meatball subs?
You’re going to LOVE how simple this recipe really is! I’m telling you — 5 minutes of prep, 5 minutes in the oven, and 5 ingredients!!!! That’s the best way to cook, as far as I’m concerned!
You’ll start by laying your hoagie rolls open on a large sheet pan. Get them nice and toasty in the oven for about 2-3 minutes — but don’t let them get too dark, because they’ll go back in with the meatballs in just a second!
What kind of sauce goes on meatball subs?
While the rolls are toasting in the oven, you’ll stir together frozen Italian meatballs (thawed) and about 1 cup of marinara sauce. You can buy your favorite jar of sauce at the store and keep it in your pantry, or if you’re feeling really fancy, you can make your own (I love this recipe).
What kind of cheese do you use for meatball subs?
Then just place the meatballs and the sauce on top of each toasted roll. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella or provolone and sprinkle with Parmesan.
How do you bake meatball subs?
The assembled meatball subs bake in the oven at 425 degrees F for about 3-5 more minutes, or just until the cheese melts and the meatballs are heated through.
When they come out of the oven, your meatball subs will be warm, cheesy, and crusty…for the perfect satisfying bite!
A little extra sauce on the side for dipping never hurts, either!
How to make meatball subs in the Crock Pot:
Place a bag of meatballs and 1 jar of marinara sauce in a slow cooker. If you’re using a Crock Pot, there’s no need to thaw frozen meatballs before you dump them into the pot.
Cook meatballs in the sauce on LOW for 3-4 hours, or until meatballs are heated through. Assemble and bake meatball subs according to recipe instructions below.
What goes with meatball subs?
Need some ideas for meatball subs side dishes? Here are a few great sides to try with your next dinner:
- A simple green salad dressed with Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Easy Broccoli Casserole
- 10-Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli Recipe
- 2-Ingredient Italian Sugar Snap Peas
- Perfect Oven Roasted Asparagus
COOK’S TIPS AND RECIPE VARIATIONS:
- Use standard size frozen meatballs or bite-size frozen meatballs — whatever you prefer.
- Make a meatball hero with either turkey meatballs, beef meatballs, or meatballs that are made with beef, pork and veal.
- Prepare the meatball subs in the oven or in the slow cooker — both instructions are provided below.
- Use homemade cooked meatballs if you have them! You can find my favorite recipe for homemade turkey meatballs HERE.
- Pick your favorite cheese for topping! We like mozzarella, provolone, and/or Parmesan.
- I should also note that the ingredient measurements are really just ballpark estimates. You can certainly add more sauce, more cheese, and more meatballs to get your meatball subs exactly how YOU like them!
- You can adjust the ingredients to prepare just one sub (or more) at a time. The cooking instructions remain the same.
Other easy frozen meatball recipes you might enjoy:
- Slow Cooker Meatball Stroganoff
- Slow Cooker Chinese Meatballs with Peppers and Onions
- Meatball and Tortellini Soup
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Meatballs
5-Ingredient Dump-and-Bake Meatball Subs
Ingredients
- 10 ounces frozen or refrigerated, fully-cooked Italian meatballs (I used 20 meatballs total), thawed*
- 1 cup marinara sauce plus extra for dipping
- ½ cup grated provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 4 hoagie rolls split**
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- While the oven heats, allow the thawed meatballs to sit on the counter and come to room temperature.
- Place open hoagie rolls on a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Toast rolls in the 425-degree oven for 2-3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together meatballs and marinara sauce.
- Place meatballs and sauce on the bottom half of each hoagie roll. Top with shredded cheese and Parmesan.
- Bake subs, uncovered, for approximately 3-5 minutes (or until meatballs are heated through, cheese is melted, and rolls are toasted).
- Close subs and serve with additional marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use standard size frozen meatballs or bite-size frozen meatballs -- whatever you prefer.
- Make a meatball hero with either turkey meatballs, beef meatballs, or meatballs that are made with beef, pork and veal.
- Prepare the meatball subs in the oven or in the slow cooker -- both instructions are provided below.
- Use homemade cooked meatballs if you have them! You can find my favorite recipe for homemade turkey meatballs HERE.
- Pick your favorite cheese for topping! We like mozzarella, provolone, and/or Parmesan.
- I should also note that the ingredient measurements are really just ballpark estimates. You can certainly add more sauce, more cheese, and more meatballs to get your meatball subs exactly how YOU like them!
- You can adjust the ingredients to prepare just one sub (or more) at a time. The cooking instructions remain the same.
Sooo easy and so delicious! This is like a better version of Subway’s meatball subs!
Exactly! I almost called it a “Subway Copycat” recipe, but I wasn’t sure if that would be a good thing. 🙂 These are way better!
What side dishes would you recommend ?
Hi, Dona! I usually just serve the subs with a side salad and maybe potato chips or baked French fries. This Italian Green Bean Salad would also be a nice addition if you want something other than a regular lettuce salad: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/simple-italian-green-bean-salad/