Meatball Sandwich features tender homemade meatballs made from lean ground beef, egg, seasoned breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and onion powder, simmered in pasta sauce and served on garlic butter-toasted hoagie rolls topped with melted Italian cheese blend. This classic comfort food delivers juicy meatballs, tangy sauce, and gooey cheese in every bite.
You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity using either homemade or frozen meatballs and the garlic butter base that keeps the rolls crispy while the broiled cheese creates perfect melty texture.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sandwich:
- 2 cups pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 4 tablespoons garlic butter
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (or mozzarella or provolone)
Instructions
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For homemade meatballs, combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until cooked through. (Or use frozen meatballs per package directions.)
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Simmer cooked meatballs in pasta sauce in saucepan, covered, for 10 minutes.
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Spread garlic butter inside each hoagie roll. Broil rolls until golden, about 3 minutes.
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Arrange rolls in 9×13 baking dish. Place 4 meatballs in each roll, top with sauce and cheese.
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Broil 2-3 minutes until cheese melts. Serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Tips for Success
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Use lean ground beef to reduce grease but keep meatballs juicy.
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Toast rolls with garlic butter first to prevent sogginess.
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Don’t overfill rolls to keep sandwiches intact.
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Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
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Broil carefully to avoid burning cheese.
Delicious Variations
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Add sliced pepperoni under cheese for extra flavor.
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Use provolone slices for authentic Italian sub taste.
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Include banana peppers or giardiniera for tangy crunch.
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Make sliders using dinner rolls for party appetizers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, follow package directions then simmer in sauce as directed.
How to make vegetarian?
Substitute beef with plant-based meat or lentil meatballs.
Can sandwiches be prepped ahead?
Assemble without broiling; refrigerate and broil before serving.
What bread works best?
Hoagie rolls, sub buns, or French bread hold up to sauce.
Freezer-friendly?
Freeze cooked meatballs in sauce; thaw and reheat before assembling.
Print
Meatball Sandwich
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
Tender homemade meatballs made from lean ground beef, egg, seasoned breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, and onion powder, simmered in pasta sauce and served on garlic butter-toasted hoagie rolls topped with melted Italian cheese blend.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sandwich:
2 cups pasta sauce or marinara sauce
4 hoagie rolls
4 tablespoons garlic butter
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (or mozzarella or provolone)
Instructions
Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Roll into 1-inch balls and bake on parchment-lined sheet at 350°F for 20 minutes. (Or use frozen meatballs per package.)
Simmer meatballs in pasta sauce, covered, for 10 minutes.
Spread garlic butter inside hoagie rolls; broil until golden, about 3 minutes.
Place 4 meatballs in each roll, top with sauce and cheese.
Broil 2-3 minutes until cheese melts. Serve with extra sauce.
Notes
Use lean ground beef to reduce grease but keep juicy.
Toast rolls first to prevent sogginess.
Don’t overfill rolls to keep intact.
Freshly shredded cheese melts better.
Broil carefully to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Sandwich
- Method: Baking/Broiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 750
- Sodium: 920
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: meatball sandwich, homemade meatballs sub, cheesy meatball hoagie, Italian meatball sub, easy meatball recipe
