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You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

Easy Meatball Subs: Using store-bought meatballs

By Susie Weinrich · Date Mar 8, 2022· 67 Comments · May contain affiliate links.

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As I write this I am sitting poolside. It is a steamy 91 degrees outside and the kids have been playing in the pool for at least 2 hours now. The last thing I want to do is go home and have to spend an hour in the kitchen getting dinner together.

easy meatball sub sandwiches topped with melted cheese

I think we all have days when everyone is exhausted and hungry and the thought of cooking in the kitchen for an hour is just too much! It is days like this when you need my Easy Meatball Sub recipe to get dinner on the table quickly.

I don’t know if I can truly call Easy Meatball Subs a “recipe”, it is really more of a how-to. I keep it super easy by using store-bought frozen meatballs (more on those later), store-bought marinara (perfect way to use up the half empty jar from the back of your fridge), you can be flexible on the cheese too (use what you have), and add a few spices from your spice cabinet. If you’re headed to the store, grab some hoagie buns… but if all you have are a couple hot dog buns, those will work too!

What Meatballs to Use in a Meatball Sub

So, again, super flexible with the meatballs in this “recipe”.  It just calls for store-bought frozen meatballs, just like this Instant Pot Spaghetti with Frozen Meatballs. You can use turkey, chicken, sausage, or beef meatballs. Whatever your family likes!

If you are a fan of Costco like we are, then you should definitely check out these Italian Beef Meatballs. They are our favorite:

Kirkland cooked Meatballs Italian Style Beef from Costco

These are the meatballs that I choose to use in my Easy Meatball Subs. They are seasoned to perfection and have an almost grilled flavor in the background.

Two meatball sub sandwiches, one with cheese, one without

But if you really want to make your own meatballs, these are delicious, easy and quick recipes for Instant Pot Italian Meatballs and Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs. Or you can check out these Baked Italian Meatballs or Chicken Meatballs.

Variations on Easy Meatball Subs

As you have read previously, this recipe is super flexible! There are lots of ways you can customize Easy Meatball Subs to suit your family:

  • Make it vegetarian by using veggie meatballs.
  • Try using turkey, chicken or sausage meatballs.
  • Use whatever cheese you have in the house. Mozzarella, Provolone, Gouda, or Monterey Jack would all work perfectly!
  • Kick up the heat by adding a lot of red pepper flakes.
  • Use whatever marinara sauce your family loves.
  • Try adding a little pesto for a basil heavy flavor.
  • If you have fresh basil in your fridge or on the back patio, give it a quick chop and sprinkle it on the sub.
Three meatball sub sandwiches with melted cheese

What to Serve With Easy Meatball Subs

This is a great casual dinner that comes together quickly. So plan on side dishes that also come together quickly with very little effort. Some of my favorites are frozen green beans popped in the oven with a little extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper, a big store-bought caesar salad, or pan sauteed zucchini with garlic and parmesan.

If you need it to be really easy, open a bag of kettle chips and grab some baby carrots out of the fridge. #reallife

Meatball sub with melted mozzarella

Dinner Recipes

If you like this recipe, here are some other easy dinner recipes on Mom’s Dinner:

  • Barbecue Chicken in Parchment with Sweet Potatoes & Peppers
  • 2 Minute Honey Mustard Sauce
  • Barbecue Chicken Pizza
  • Homemade Sloppy Joes

Share the Love

If you made this recipe let me know how it turned out! Comment below, drop me a line, rate the recipe, or share it on social media. The buttons at the top of the page make it super easy to share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.

meatball sub with a bite taken out

I hope you give this “recipe” for Easy Meatball Subs a try in your kitchen.

Love- Susie

meatball sub made with frozen meatballs

Easy Meatball Subs

Easy Meatball Subs come together in minutes and are a delicious crowd pleasing dinner. I use store- bought frozen meatballs to keep this recipe super simple!
4.97 from 56 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
frozen meatballs: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Susie Weinrich

Ingredients

  • 16 store bought frozen meatballs - I like Costco’s Italian Beef Meatballs
  • 4 hoagie rolls - or hot dog buns if that is what you have
  • ½ cup marinara sauce, divided
  • 1 cup mozzarella or provolone cheese, divided
  • grated parmesan cheese
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Bake your meatballs according to package instructions
  • Preheat the oven to 400
  • Open the hoagie buns and lay facing up on a sheet pan. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and generously sprinkle on the garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Red pepper flakes are optional if you like a little heat.
    Place in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes to get a good crisp on the bread. 
  • Place 1 tablespoon of marinara on the bottom bun of each hoagie. Optional- sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese. 
    Top with 4 meatballs.
    Top the meatballs with 1 tablespoon of marinara.
    Top it off with ¼ cup cheese.
  • Place the hoagies back in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Recipe Tips and Notes:

HOMEMADE MEATBALLS- If you prefer to make your own meatballs, check out either one of these recipes:
  • Amazing Baked Italian Meatballs
  • Easy Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
  • Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs
  • Chicken Meatballs
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

    4.97 from 56 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Karin says

    March 13, 2025 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    So easy on a busy night. Super budget friendly! Made meatballs in the air fryer while the bread toasted. Assembled, and wrapped in foil to keep warm until everyone was ready. Vanished in less than 5 minutes. Only thing I would do differently is longer rolls and more meatballs. Thank you for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  2. Lula says

    December 25, 2024 at 4:16 pm

    I will try this, it sounds great!

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      December 26, 2024 at 10:18 am

      Report back if you do!

      Reply
  3. Joyce says

    November 15, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    Yes and it was Devine so delicious.

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      November 16, 2024 at 9:25 am

      So glad you loved it!

      Reply
  4. MELISA C says

    November 11, 2024 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    SO GOOD! The only thing I changed was I toasted my buns with butter (top and bottom) on the griddle on my stove.

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      November 12, 2024 at 6:54 am

      Ooooo – love that you have a griddle on your stove. I bet that was delicious.

      Reply
  5. Wayne J Horton says

    October 22, 2024 at 11:09 am

    5 stars
    awesome simple recipe the herbs on the bread make a huge diference

    Reply
  6. Michelle Lee valleskey says

    October 15, 2024 at 8:04 pm

    4 stars
    Son loved them but next time not putting in oven twice. Bun was a little too hard. I think 5 minutes total is good.

    Reply
  7. Chris Calcut says

    July 26, 2024 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    We made these last night and they were easy and delicious. I followed your instructions to the letter and they were perfect. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Brad Goldsmith says

    March 11, 2024 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    super fast and easy recipe.

    Reply
  9. Laura ME says

    February 19, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Fast, easy and delicious. The seasoning addition and toasting the roll really amp the flavor. Added a little more sauce and used provolone cheese. Make it. 😊

    Reply
  10. Tamra H says

    September 11, 2023 at 8:47 pm

    5 stars
    It was really good that I’ve made it one of my favorite dinners. However, I don’t know if my olive oil was old or what but it didn’t taste great with it versus without. But still, would recommend recipe if looking for a quick, delicious, cheap meal.

    Reply
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