This Meatball Sub from Subway is one of my favorite restaurant copycat sandwiches of all time. It’s easy to make, budget-friendly, and a real crowd-pleaser! If your kids love meatballs as much as my grandson does, they will be fans of this recipe.
This is something I stock up on ingredients for, so I can prepare it as a last-minute dinner or a weekend lunch. These delicious meatball subs are a simple meal you can enjoy anytime!
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This is a meatball sub recipe that allows you to get creative! There are endless varieties of marinara sauce to choose from at the grocery store, or you can make your own. The gooey cheese and soft bread add fabulous textures for a balanced and scrumptious bite.
If you like easy Subway copycat recipes, you will love Subway Chicken Caesar Wrap and Subway Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s quick: It takes about 10 minutes to assemble the homemade meatball subs and bake them in the oven to melt the cheese. It’s perfect for an easy meal whenever you want.
- It’s budget-friendly: These ingredients are inexpensive, so you don’t have to worry about spending extra money on this recipe. It’s one of my go-tos for an affordable meal that’s still delish.
- It’ll be a family favorite: Who doesn’t love saucy meatball subs with crispy bread and gooey cheese? I promise that everyone will be impressed by these sandwiches.
Meatball Sub Sandwich Ingredients
This Subway copycat meatball sub recipe only requires a few ingredients. The bread, meatballs, sauce, and cheese are all you need!
- Marinara sauce: I love a basic, yet robust marinara sauce for this recipe. It reminds me the most of the meatball marinara from Subway!
- Meatballs: I used my Carnivore Meatballs, but feel free to use another recipe or pre-cooked meatballs instead.
- Sub rolls: Any soft 8-inch sub rolls are perfect for this recipe. Use a smaller roll to make a smaller version if you like!
- Mozzarella cheese: I like slices of mozzarella cheese since that is what Subway uses, but shredded is just fine, too. Feel free to use another variety like provolone or Swiss for a twist.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Pink sauce: Combine the marinara sauce with some Alfredo sauce to make a rich and savory pink sauce for these meatball subs.
- Meatball pepperoni: Add pepperoni slices to the subs as a nod to the Subway Meatball Pepperoni sandwich.
- Extra spicy: Use a spicy marinara sauce and pepper jack cheese to bring the heat.
- Use a different type of meatball: Experiment with these Costco chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs.
How to Make Subway Meatball Subs
Here are the instructions on how to make this Subway meatball subs recipe. It’s so easy to assemble these delicious sandwiches. Once you preheat your oven to 350°F and line the baking sheet with parchment paper, it’s time to build the subs!
Step 1: Add the sauce. Spread a generous amount of marinara sauce onto the bottom of each sub-roll.
Step 2: Place the meatballs. Add 4-5 meatballs on top of the sauce. This will depend on the size of the meatballs you’re using.
Step 3: Top with cheese. Finish the subs with 2 slices of mozzarella cheese each. Break each one in half to ensure they cover all of the meatballs.
Step 4: Bake and serve. Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake the sandwiches for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey. Enjoy hot!
Subway Meatball Marinara Recipe Tips
- Toast the bread: Toasting the rolls adds a protective barrier so they don’t get soggy. It also adds a slightly crispy texture.
- Warm the meatballs before adding them: Don’t add the meatballs cold. Warm them in the oven or in a saucepan with sauce. The subs will go in the oven just to melt the cheese.
- Try broiling: Put the sandwiches under the broil to brown the cheese and the top of the bread a little extra. I love a toasty sandwich!
If you love recipes like this copycat Subway sandwich, you may also enjoy this Subway Tuna Salad Sandwich or this Meatball Parmigiana!
Storage Directions
- Storing: The best method for storing leftovers is to keep the ingredients separate if possible. They will stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. This prevents the bread from becoming extra soggy from the sauce. I also do not recommend freezing the sub rolls, either.
- Reheating: Reheat the meatballs in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave before adding them to the bread. Assemble the sandwich and toast it in the oven to melt the cheese!
- Make Ahead: The best way to prepare this recipe ahead is by making the meatballs if you aren’t using prepackaged. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you make a meatball Subway sandwich.
Serving Suggestions
- Add another sauce before serving like garlic Parmesan sauce for garlicky flavor.
- Try to make this recipe with another Subway copycat—-Italian herbs and cheese bread. Slice it into sub rolls and use it for the sandwiches.
- A fresh salad always makes a good accompaniment to a sandwich. Mixed green salad with fruit and nuts is a simple, yet tasty recipe to try.
- Add some slow cooker cabbage as a veggie side.
- Finish the meal with an easy dessert like Rice Krispie cookies for the perfect sweet note.
More Delicious Sandwich Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Subway Meatball Sub Copycat
Equipment
- Small Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup marinara sauce or as needed
- 8-10 meatballs cooked
- 2 8-inch buns
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F, and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If desired, add cooked meatballs into a small bowl with marinara for additional sauce.
- Assemble the sandwiches by spreading sauce to the bottom of the bun, followed by the meatballs and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 5 minute or until cheese is melted.
Notes
- Try this recipe using frozen meatballs for extra convenience. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then heat before making your Subway meatball subs.
- Skip freezing assembled sandwiches if you can. The bread doesn’t freeze or reheat well!
- To make the sandwiches a bit smaller, feel free to use a different roll. Kaiser rolls and even hot dog rolls work great for this recipe.
Sloan says
So good. It’s true it’s better than the original. Thx for a yummy treat
Karin and Ken says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe. It’s in our rotation too! All the best. Karin
Sam says
TOTAL YUM! TFS
Karin and Ken says
We think so too! All the best. Karin
Kyla says
Better than the original! Will definitely make again. So good. TFS
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree more. Glad you agree. All the best. Karin