Spaghetti Stuffed Subs

Name: Spaghetti Stuffed Subs
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 6 inch sub buns; 2 cups spaghetti noodles (prepared ); 16 meatballs (frozen, prepared ); 2 cups spaghetti sauce; 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded, more or less to taste); 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (for serving, if desired); 1/2 cup garlic butter (if desired)

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Spaghetti stuffed subs take classic meatball subs somewhere they’ve never been. These delicious subs feature meatballs, sauce, cheese and spaghetti!

Closeup shot of stuffed spaghetti sub on plate

I absolutely love these subs because they’re a classic spaghetti dinner combined into one sandwich. They’re literally everything we love about spaghetti dinners.

Adults and kids love this easy dinner.

Stuffed Spaghetti Subs

This was inspired by my spaghetti alla bolognese recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing pasta salad recipe.

Ingredients

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make these easy spaghetti subs.

sub buns
spaghetti noodles
frozen meatballs
spaghetti sauce
mozzarella cheese
parmesan cheese for serving, if desired
garlic butter, if desired

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Instructions

Making this recipe is an incredibly easy affair. It only takes a few steps and a few minutes.

Step 1: Cook the Noodles

Cook the noodles according to the package directions for al dente, then drain them and dump them into a large bowl.

Step 2: Add the Sauce

Add the spaghetti sauce to the cooked spaghetti and toss with tongs until fully coated.

Step 3: Make the Meatballs

Prepare the meatballs according to the package directions and set them aside.

Step 4: Toast the Buns, If Desired

Split the buns in half and cover with garlic butter. Add ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese to each side. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet and place them under a preheated broiler until the cheese is melted with a few golden spots. Remove them from the oven and place them on a plate.

Step 5: Make the Subs

Using tongs, transfer ¼ of the spaghetti onto each sub and add 4 meatballs. Sprinkle with mozzarella or parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Hint: Keep a close eye on your subs when toasting them so they don’t burn.

Closeup photo of Spaghetti and meatballs placed on top of a submarine bun.

Substitutions

Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Stuffed Spaghetti Subs recipe.

Sub Buns – Use hoagie, hot dog, sausage, hamburger or your favorite hard or soft rolls instead
Toast or Not to Toast – I leave the decision up to you but I prefer to toast my buns and melt cheese on top of each side under the broiler. My husband and son prefer this sandwich exactly as shown
Spaghetti Noodles – Use linguini, fettuccini (tagliatelle), angel hair (capellini), vermacelli, bucatini, rotini, penne or your favorite pasta
Vegetarian – Use a plant-based meatball will make this dish this vegetarian.
Spaghetti Sauce – Use your favorite brand or variety, even alfredo sauces work beautifully too
Cheese – No mozzarella? No worries. Use provolone, burrata, scamorza, white cheddar, gouda, parmesan or your favorite cheese instead
Garlic Butter – Use regular butter instead if you’re using butter at all

Variations

Want to personalize this Spaghetti Stuffed Subs recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

Spicy – Add chili pepper flakes, use diced or chopped cayenne, poblano, tabasco, or your favorite hot peppers to add heat to this sandwich
Seasoning – Add some extra Italian seasoning, garlic powder or your favorites to your sauce to add more flavor
Loaded – Add sauteed onions, sweet peppers, shredded carrots, celery and mushrooms
Meat Lovers – Add chopped ham, cooked sausage, cooked bacon, cooked ground beef or any other meat you want to include
Canned Spaghetti and Meatballs – To make these the fastest sandwiches on earth to make simply heat a can of spaghetti and meatballs and add to bun
Mini Italian Bread or French Bread Loaf – make your own bread boat or spaghetti boat just the way you want it
Garlic Bread – Create a spaghetti stuffed garlic bread. With or without cheese you won’t be disappointed.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our Cheesy Pizza Spaghetti Casserole or Meat Lovers Pizza Pasta Casserole. My son loves making a sandwich out of that meat lover’s casserole and we had to include a picture.

Equipment

You’ll only need a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment to make this recipe.

rimmed baking sheet
saucepan
skillet
serrated bread knife
Cheese grater
Tongs

Storage

Store the spaghetti and meatballs in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. Reheat and place on buns when ready to serve again.

Tips

This is an incredibly easy recipe. It’s so easy, in fact, I only have 2 tips.

Shred your own cheese, as store-bought shredded cheese includes additives and your cheese won’t melt as it should
Always keep an eye on your buns when toasting so they don’t burn.

Closeup shot of hand holding a spaghetti stuffed sub

FAQ

Do you have questions about spaghetti stuffed subs? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about spaghetti subs.

Can I make this recipe ahead?

You can make the spaghetti and meatballs ahead of time, but only put the subs together when you’re ready to serve them.

How long will these last?

The spaghetti and meatballs will last for 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat them and add them to the buns when ready to serve again.

How do I reheat these?

Place the spaghetti and meatballs in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through.

More Spaghetti Recipes

Do you like spaghetti? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.