Description
These Meatball Subs are a comforting and delicious sandwich featuring tender frozen meatballs simmered in marinara sauce, nestled inside toasted hoagie buns brushed with garlic butter and loaded with melted provolone, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs and Sauce
- 16 frozen cooked meatballs
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Garlic Butter
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¾ teaspoon garlic puree (or finely minced garlic)
- Kosher salt, a pinch
- ½ tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Sandwich Components
- 4 hoagie buns, uncut
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for toasting the buns and melting the cheese.
- Heat Meatballs and Sauce: Place the frozen cooked meatballs and marinara sauce in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are thoroughly heated and the sauce is warm.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with garlic puree, chopped parsley if using, and a pinch of kosher salt. Set this flavorful garlic butter aside to brush onto the buns.
- Hollow Out Buns: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut a long rectangular hollow in each hoagie bun without slicing all the way through. Remove the excess bread from inside to create a cavity for the filling. You can save the removed bread for breadcrumbs or croutons if desired.
- Toast Buns: Brush the interior of each hollowed bun generously with the prepared garlic butter. Place the buns in a casserole dish or on a sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes to toast lightly.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Remove the toasted buns from the oven and line the inside cavity with one slice of provolone cheese. Place four heated meatballs into each bun cavity, spoon some of the warm marinara sauce over the meatballs, and then sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Melt Cheese: Return the assembled sandwiches to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the subs from the oven and sprinkle each sandwich with about ½ tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by any remaining marinara sauce on the side.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen meatballs with homemade or fresh ones if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce or garlic butter.
- To save calories, use light butter and low-fat cheeses.
- Leftover bread from hollowed buns can be toasted and used as breadcrumbs or croutons for salads.
- Make sure not to cut all the way through the buns to keep the sandwich sturdy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
