Marinara Meatball Sub with Homemade Meatballs. Homemade meatballs, cooked in homemade marinara sauce, and melted cheese this homemade meatball subs recipe is sure to be loved by all! These meatball subs are great for lunch, dinner, and get togethers.

Marinara Meatball Sub with Homemade Meatballs

I grew up in the northeast where a big thing is going to the deli to grab lunch. Most people, including the majority of my family members, grabbed a deli meat sandwich or a deli meat sub when going to a deli. Me I was not a big fan of deli meat sandwiches so whenever we went to a sandwich place or deli I got a meatball sub (or I as we call them meatball grinders and they are also called meatball sandwiches).

Of course with moving a lot and leaving the northeast I have to come up with my own recipes to enjoy my northeast favorites while living in different places around the country. It took me a bit to come up with the perfect meatball sub sandwich recipe, but I did it and every time I make them it reminds me of being home.

Many recipes for meatball subs call for frozen meatballs, that is a no-go for me. Homemade meatballs are a must when making a meatballs sub sandwich and it is the only way you are going to get the best meatball sub to enjoy.

I also use homemade marinara sauce, because again there is nothing better than homemade. I make large batches of the sauces we use often and store them in the freezer so I have them readily available.

The trick to the best meatballs subs recipe is using homemade meatballs and then the slow cook time in the marinara sauce.

Sandwich recipes

Marinara Meatball Sub with Homemade Meatballs in a serving dish

Meatball Subs for a Crowd

If you are wanting an easy to make dish to serve for a crowd this meatballs subs recipe is a great one.

Make the meatballs and the sauce ahead of time and put them into a slow cooker on the warm setting to keep the meatballs and the sauce warm.

Toast the sub rolls or hoagie rolls which ever you are using and then place them on a serving platter and cover with foil.

Set out different types of cheese on a tray to give people options for which one they want to use.

What Rolls do you use for Meatball subs?

Sub rolls and hoagie rolls are the best choices. You can use hot dog rolls if that is what you have on hand but they are smaller and thinner and you won’t be able to fit as many meatballs in to it. They also fall apart easier then a roll. I prefer to use white rolls but you can also use whole wheat.

What type of meat do you use when making meatballs for Sub Sandwiches?

I use ground sirloin and ground chicken when making my homemade meatballs for meatball sandwiches. I have the butcher grind it when I am at the grocery store. If you do not have ground sirloin you can use any type of ground beef. You can also use just ground chicken or use ground turkey if you do not like ground chicken. If you are not a fan of ground beef then you can make meatballs with just ground chicken or ground turkey.

How do you keep meatball subs from getting soggy?

It is important to use a good, thick sub or hoagie roll when making them so the sauce doesn’t make the bread soggy, and then the sub falls apart.

close up photo of 4 meatball subs with marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese

What to Serve with Marinara Meatball Sub Sandwiches

There are lots of side dishes that go well with meatball subs.

If I am making them for dinner I stick with dinner type side dishes.

Many times we serve a salad, our favorite being Spinach Strawberry Salad or a simple garden salad with homemade honey poppy seed dressing or homemade Balsamic Dressing. If you are looking for more dinner side dishes that go with meatballs subs check out our favorite sides.

If I am making them for lunch I go with a more lunch style or party style side dish. Potato chips, fries macaroni salad and pasta salad. I like to make it feel like I am eating my sub with things I would also get in a northeast deli. If you are looking for tasty lunch side dishes or meatballs sub side dishes for a party check out some that we love.

What toppings go on a meatball sub?

While I prefer the classic meatball sub with sauce and mozzarella cheese, you can change things up and get creative however you want to with different toppings.

Cheese. In this recipe we use mozzarella but you can also add some parmesan cheese or provolone cheese instead.

Veggies. Sauteed onions and sauteed peppers are great toppings to put on a meatball sub.

Sauce. If you are wanting to change things up a bit, skip the marinara sauce and make some homemade alfredo sauce and spoon it on top.

overhead photo of Marinara Meatball Sub with Homemade Meatballs

Can you freeze meatballs subs?

I would not suggest freezing the meatball subs after they have been assembled. If you are wanting to meal prep and have a freezer meal, you can easily make meatballs subs for dinner you can.

Make the meatballs and allow them to cool. Then place the meatballs on a greased baking sheet in the freezer and freeze till solid. Once solid remove the meatballs from the baking sheet and store them in a freezer bag.

You will also want to make your marinara sauce ahead of time. Cook the marinara sauce and allow to cool completely. Once cool pour the marinara sauce into a freezer bag and close tightly. Lay the freezer bag in the freezer flat to freeze.

When you are going to make them for dinner, add the frozen sauce and the frozen meatballs to a large stockpot and cook over medium heat until everything is defrosted and heat thoroughly.

Marinara Meatball Sub with Homemade Meatballs ingredients

Meatball Grinders Ingredients

Fresh sub rolls Rolls
mozzarella cheese
Marinara Sauce
Homemade Meatballs

Meatballs for Meatball sub ingredients

Ground Sirloin and ground chicken. If. you want to use just beef, just chicken or just turkey you can. I find it best to make the meatballs with ground chicken and ground sirloin.
Onion
bread crumbs. You can use homemade breadcrumbs or store bought.
Egg
Salt
Italian seasoning
Garlic
Parmesan cheese

Marinara sauce ingredients

Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Oregano
Diced tomatoes
Salt

How to Make Homemade Marinara Sauce for Meatball subs

In a large saucepan cook the onion, garlic, and oregano until they are soft and light golden brown.

Add in the diced tomatoes and stir, add salt to taste. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.

How to Make Meatballs for Meatball Subs

While the sauce is cooking, make the meatballs.

In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion, beef, turkey, bread crumbs, salt, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Using your hands mix well.

meatballs ingredients being mixed in a mixing bowl

Shape mixture into 18 meatballs.

In a skillet cook the meatballs until they are browned.

Add meatballs to a pot and then pour the marinara sauce and cook meatballs in the sauce for 30 minutes.

How to Make Meatball Subs

Once your meatballs are cooked, slice each roll open but not all the way in half. Add 3 meatballs to each sub roll, top with extra marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Easy Dinner Recipes