I love making this meatball sandwich because it’s simple, comforting, and perfect for sharing with friends or family. There’s something about juicy meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and melted cheese that always makes me smile. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy every bite!
Most of the ingredients in this recipe are easy to find, but if you don’t usually keep parmesan cheese or hoagie rolls at home, you might want to pick those up at the supermarket. Parmesan adds a nice salty flavor to the meatballs, and hoagie rolls hold everything together perfectly without getting soggy. Fresh garlic is also great to have on hand for the best taste.

Ingredients For Meatball Sandwich Recipe
Ground beef: The main protein that makes the meatballs juicy and flavorful.
Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs together and keeps them tender.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatball mixture in shape.
Garlic: Adds a fresh, savory flavor to the meatballs.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the meatballs.
Black pepper: Adds a little bit of spice and depth.
Parmesan cheese: Gives a salty, nutty taste that makes the meatballs special.
Hoagie rolls: Soft bread rolls that hold the meatballs and sauce perfectly.
Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce that keeps the meatballs moist and adds rich flavor.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts on top for a gooey, cheesy finish.
Technique Tip for Making a Meatball Sandwich
One of the most important steps in this Meatball Sandwich Recipe is mixing the ground beef with the other ingredients to make the meatballs. Here’s a simple way to do it so everything blends nicely and your meatballs turn out tender and tasty:
- Put the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese in a big bowl.
- Use your hands to gently mix everything together. Try not to squish it too hard or overwork the meat because that can make the meatballs tough.
- Mix just until all the ingredients are combined evenly. You want everything to stick together but still be soft.
Doing this step carefully helps the meatballs stay juicy and not dry out when you bake them. If you mix too much, the meatballs can get dense and chewy, which isn’t as fun to eat. But if you mix just right, they’ll be soft and full of flavor.
When I first made this recipe, I was worried about getting the right texture, so I mixed the meat too much. The meatballs ended up a little tough, and I learned that less mixing is better. Now, I just fold everything together gently, and it works every time. Also, using your hands is the easiest way to feel when the mixture is ready—it’s kind of like a fun little squishy job!
This simple mixing trick makes the whole meatball sandwich taste better and makes the cooking part smoother because the meatballs hold together well while baking and simmering in the marinara sauce.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and still provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
breadcrumbs - Substitute with oatmeal: Oatmeal can act as a binder and adds a bit of extra fiber to the meatballs.
egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to replace one egg. This is a great vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic. It provides a similar flavor without the need for fresh garlic.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different flavor but can still provide the necessary heat and spice.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with nutritional yeast: Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor and is a great vegan alternative.
hoagie rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls add more fiber and nutrients compared to traditional hoagie rolls.
marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto sauce offers a different flavor profile with basil and garlic, providing a fresh and unique twist.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with provolone cheese: Provolone cheese melts well and has a slightly sharper flavor, making it a good alternative.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze Your Meatball Sandwich
- Allow the meatballs to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Place the cooled meatballs in an airtight container. If stacking them, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store the marinara sauce separately in another airtight container. This keeps the meatballs from becoming too soft.
- For the hoagie rolls, wrap them individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain their freshness.
- Keep the meatballs and marinara sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The hoagie rolls can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- To freeze, place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. This prevents them from clumping together.
- Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Freeze the marinara sauce in a separate freezer-safe container or bag. Leave some space at the top for expansion.
- The meatballs and marinara sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. The hoagie rolls can also be frozen, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
- When ready to use, thaw the meatballs and marinara sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the meatballs in the marinara sauce on the stove over medium heat until warmed through.
- Toast the thawed hoagie rolls in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes or until slightly crispy.
- Assemble the sandwiches as directed, ensuring everything is hot and fresh for the best flavor and texture.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each meatball sandwich in aluminum foil to keep the bread from drying out. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through and the cheese is melted.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the meatball sandwich on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious, as the bread can become chewy if overheated.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Wrap the meatball sandwich in aluminum foil and place it in the air fryer basket. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through. This method helps maintain a crispy bread exterior while warming the meatballs and cheese perfectly.
For stovetop reheating, use a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the meatball sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even warming. This method helps keep the bread crispy while thoroughly heating the meatballs and cheese.
If you prefer a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the meatball sandwich in aluminum foil and place it on the toaster oven tray. Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are hot and the cheese is melted. This method is great for maintaining the bread's texture.
Best Tools for Making a Meatball Sandwich
Oven: Used to bake the meatballs and toast the hoagie rolls.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.
Baking sheet: Used to place the formed meatballs for baking.
Saucepan: Used to warm the marinara sauce.
Knife: Used to mince the garlic.
Cutting board: Used as a surface to mince the garlic.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and marinara sauce.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and black pepper.
Grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese.
Spatula: Used to mix the meatball ingredients and to stir the marinara sauce.
Tongs: Used to place the meatballs into the marinara sauce.
Cheese grater: Used to shred the mozzarella cheese.
Toaster oven: Used as an alternative to toast the hoagie rolls.
Plate: Used to assemble the sandwiches before serving.
How to Save Time on Making a Meatball Sandwich
Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and mix breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and spices in advance.
Use pre-made marinara: Save time by using store-bought marinara sauce instead of making it from scratch.
Batch cook meatballs: Make extra meatballs and freeze them for future meals.
Toast rolls together: Toast all hoagie rolls at once on a baking sheet to save time.
Pre-shredded cheese: Use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese to cut down on prep time.

Meatball Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Sandwich
- 4 Hoagie Rolls
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
- Form the mixture into meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are done, place them in the marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Toast the hoagie rolls in the oven for 5 minutes or until slightly crispy.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing meatballs and sauce on each hoagie roll and topping with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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