Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This oven bakedmeatball sandwich recipe is a perfect easy dinner idea for busy days. Also great for large groups, game day, or as an on-the-go meal. It’s one of our most popular posts – pinned over 1 million times!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. We receive a commission if purchases are made through our links to retailers.Click here to read our full disclosure policy.

These sandwiches are not only incredibly simple to make, but they are total comfort food. The bread smells delicious as it gets toasted in the oven, the meatballs are warm and tender, and the gooey melted cheese might just be the best part! This dinner has been a lifesaver in our home for years.

Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (1)

The ingredients are simple — you will need meatballs, pasta sauce,mozzarellacheese, and sandwich rolls.

Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (2)
Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (3)

Many times I like to make my popularBaked Turkey Meatballs with Spinachfor our Meatball Sandwiches, but I also make them with frozen, pre-made meatballs from the freezer section of my grocery store. I do that A LOT. So, if you want easy, go with the frozen ones. If you have more time, go for homemade meatballs.

Ingredients needed for Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches:

Cooking Equipment needed for Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches:

Here’s how to make this easy dinner idea:

Get your rolls ready. You want rolls that aren’t cut all the way through, they should be connected one side so that they will cradle the ingredients. I usually buy rolls that are already cut like this, or rolls that aren’t cut at all and I cut them myself.

Place your meatballs in a big pot and cover them with your pasta sauce.

If you are using frozen meatballs, place them frozen into the pot — no need to cook them in advance. If you are using homemade ones, put them into the pot after cooking them.

Cover your meatballs with sauce (enough that all the meatballs are covered). You can use homemade pasta sauce or jarred sauce.Gently fold the meatballs with the sauce, this isn’t the time forvigorousstirring or you’ll destroy the meatballs. Heat them on low-medium, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated thoroughly.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Take each roll and fill with as many meatballs as you can fit. I usually do this with a slotted spoon and I avoid scooping the sauce as much as possible. I can generally get 4-5 meatballs into one sandwich roll, but this will vary depending on the size of roll you use.

Top the meatballs with a bit of pasta sauce from your pot. Place your meatball sandwiches, as you fill them, directly on the baking sheet.

Now, top each sandwich with shredded mozzarella cheese. My favorite part…CHEESE.

Bake in an oven at 400 degrees until cheese is melted, hot, and bubbly! Serve with a salad or chips for a super easy meal.

Want anothereasy, cheesy sandwich recipe? Check out ourBuffalo Chicken Panini Recipe!

Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Tips

If you are serving these during a party, game night, or if these are being packed for meals away from home, it might be helpful to wrap each sandwich individually. I liked to do this with foil, before baking. Here’s how:

  • Tear off one piece of foil for each sandwich (big enough to wrap the sandwich)
  • With one piece of foil, spray the top of the foil with cooking spray.
  • Place a sandwich roll in the middle and on top of the cooking sprayed side of the foil.
  • Fill with meatballs and pasta sauce. Top with cheese.
  • Fold one large corner of the foil completely over the top of the sandwich. Fold the left and the right sides of the foil over the sandwich. Roll the sandwich towards the top part of the foil so the entire sandwich is secured in the foil.
  • Bake in a 400 degree F oven for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is completely melted.

Easy Dinner Idea:
Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe

Print

Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.6 from 14 reviews

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • Sandwich rolls (cut with one side intact)
  • Cooked Meatballs (your favorite recipe or frozen, pre-made meatballs)
  • Pasta Sauce (homemade or jarred)
  • Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

  1. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Place your frozen cooked meatballs or homemade cooked meatballs in a large pot. Cover with your pasta sauce. Gently fold the meatballs with the sauce, Heat the meatballs and sauce on low-medium, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated thoroughly.
  3. Fill a roll with as many meatballs as you can fit (usually 4-5 meatballs, depends on size of meatballs and the size of the roll). Top with more pasta sauce from your pot. Place filled sandwich rolls closely on baking sheet. Top each sandwich with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  4. Bake until cheese is melted, hot, and bubbly.

Recipe Card powered byEasy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (10)

Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (11)
Easy Dinner Idea: Oven Baked Meatball Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with meatball sandwiches? ›

What to Serve with Meatball Subs [11 Best Side Dishes]
  • Produce. • 1 Baked potato, Wedges. • 1 Jalapeno poppers, Baked. • 1 Zucchini fries.
  • Condiments. • 1 Chips and salsa.
  • Bread & baked goods. • 1 Focaccia.
  • Dairy. • 1 Mozzarella cheese.
  • Deli. • 1 Caprese salad. • 1 Classic caesar salad. • 1 Coleslaw, Creamy.

How do you keep meatball subs from getting soggy? ›

Finally, toast the rolls to prevent them from getting too soggy with sauce. Of course, some crispy-gone-soggy bites are welcome, just as the cheese pulls, sauce drips and messy fingers are, too.

How long to heat up meatball sandwich in oven? ›

You should reheat meatballs subs in the oven or air fryer to keep the bread toasty. To reheat four meatball subs in the oven in a baking dish, reheat them at 400F, covered in aluminum foil for 15 minutes and then remove the foil for the last 5 minutes.

What veggies go best on meatball sub? ›

You can use any vegetables you have on hand, but in this recipe, they use broccoli, red peppers, and sweet potatoes. If you have the time to prepare these, you won't regret it. Jalapenos pair delightfully with meatball subs, and so why not serve them on the side?

What toppings go best on meatball sub? ›

Toast up your french bread, top with meatballs, sauce, peppers and onions, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. We like to add hot pepper rings.

Do you put veggies on a meatball sub? ›

I love, love, love cheese with meatballs (vegetarian) and marinara sauce, if you can, take pepper jack, awesome. You can also have some vegetables on there, I think that bell peppers, spinach, corn and carrots go especially well with a meatball sub. And don't forget to add pickles!

Do people put veggies on a meatball sub? ›

I like to add a couple spoonfuls of the veggie sauce to the bottom of the bun, next add about three of the meatballs and top with another couple spoonfuls of the veggies and sauce. Top with a sprinkle of cheese and place meatball subs in the oven. Cook until cheese is melted and and buns are crispy, 7-10 minutes.

Can you put mayo on a meatball sub? ›

Mixed the ground beef with spices like cumin and Cajun seasoning. Bake the meatballs and put it all on a soft sandwich bun. The sauce for this meatball sub is mayo mixed with more Cajun seasoning and hot sauce.

Do meatballs get softer the longer you cook them? ›

Tenderizing the Meat:

As the collagen in the meat dissolves over time, it transforms into gelatin, which not only adds a silky texture to the sauce but also contributes to the overall richness and depth of flavor. The longer the simmer, the more tender and succulent the meatballs become.

What makes meatballs taste rubbery? ›

If the meatballs are packed together too tightly, they will cook up rubbery, chewy, and tough. If the meatballs are different sizes, they will cook unevenly. The smaller meatballs may end up dry and overcooked, while the larger ones may end up undercooked.

How long to heat cold meatballs in oven? ›

Reheat meatballs in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350°F or in the microwave until warmed through. You can also make a few batches of this baked meatball recipe and freeze them for a later meal! Oven baked meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked, depending on your preference.

Can you heat meatballs and sauce in the oven? ›

Reheating Meatballs and Sauce in the Oven with Sauce

Make sure they are in a single layer. Cover the meatballs in tomato sauce and cover tightly with some heavy-duty aluminum foil. Now you want to put the baking dish in the oven and bake meatballs for about 40 minutes.

How do you reheat frozen meatballs with sauce in the oven? ›

To reheat, place the frozen meatballs and sauce in a frying pan or baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 150°C/300°F for approx. 45 minutes, or until hot all the way through.

What to serve with meat sandwiches? ›

23 MOST Delicious Sides for Sandwiches (exactly what to serve!)
  • Produce. • 1 Beans, Baked. • 1 Potato, wedges. • 1 Sweet potato fries. ...
  • Canned Goods. • 1 Applesauce. • 1 Soup.
  • Condiments. • 1 Chips and dip. • 1 Pickles. ...
  • Pasta & Grains. • 1 Mediterranean couscous. • 1 Orzo.
  • Deli. • 1 Broccoli salad. • 1 Carrot raisin salad.

What goes good on a meatball marinara sandwich? ›

Meatball Sub Sandwiches feature homemade meatballs covered in tangy marinara sauce, topped with gooey fontina (or mozzarella cheese) AND provolone cheese, all loaded on a hoagie roll! Top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor. And serve with plenty of napkins!

How many sides does a meatball have? ›

Editor: I think your instincts are right on here — two sides for smaller meatballs and four for larger ones. But my favorite way to brown meatballs is actually in the oven, not on the stove!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 5571

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.