Slow Cooker Meatball Subs: Easy & Delicious Dinner Recipe

Craving a comforting and satisfying meal? This Slow Cooker Meatball Sub recipe is the answer! Enjoy delicious homemade meatball subs smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce, all effortlessly made in your slow cooker for an easy dinner recipe. Forget the takeout; these meatball subs are far superior to anything you’ll find at a restaurant!

These tender, juicy meatballs are made from scratch, then gently simmered in a rich marinara sauce in your slow cooker. This hands-off approach allows you to enjoy incredibly flavorful and moist meatballs without spending hours in the kitchen. What could be better than coming home to the enticing aroma of homemade meatballs ready to be transformed into delicious easy sandwiches?

Imagine biting into a warm, toasted hoagie roll piled high with succulent meatballs, creamy fresh mozzarella cheese, and your desired amount of savory marinara sauce. This new favorite meatball recipe is so easy to prepare, even on busy weeknights, and the taste surpasses any subway meatball sub you’ve ever had. Prepare to indulge in juicy meatballs, melted cheese, and flavorful sauce – all crafted to your liking!

These meatball subs aren’t just for weeknight dinners; they’re also fantastic for game days when you have friends over or for any easy dinner on the holiday. Their easy preparation and crowd-pleasing flavors make them a go-to choice for any occasion.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Meatball Sandwiches

This recipe is divided into three sections, making it easy to shop for the ingredients.

Marinara Sauce Ingredients:

The homemade marinara sauce is the key to these delicious meatball subs. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes are ideal for achieving the best results in your homemade sauce.
2. Seasoning: A flavorful combination of dried basil, black pepper, kosher salt, and minced garlic enhances the taste of the marinara sauce.
3. Oil: A small amount of olive oil or avocado oil is all you need to create a smooth and rich sauce base.
4. Sugar: A touch of brown sugar is the secret to adding extra depth and complexity to the homemade marinara sauce. It balances the acidity of the tomatoes and creates a more rounded flavor.
5. Water: Adding a little water ensures the tomato sauce reaches the perfect consistency, not too thick or too thin.

Meatball Mixture Ingredients:

The homemade meatballs are simple to make but pack a lot of flavor. Here are the necessary ingredients:

1. Protein: Lean ground beef is the perfect choice for this meatball sub recipe. It provides the right amount of flavor and texture without being overly greasy. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as healthier alternatives.
2. Egg: An egg acts as a binder, holding the meatball mixture together and preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
3. Breadcrumbs: Using Italian-style breadcrumbs adds even more flavor to the meatballs. The herbs and spices in the breadcrumbs complement the other ingredients perfectly.
4. Seasoning: A simple seasoning blend of minced garlic and fresh parsley adds a touch of freshness and aroma to the meatball mixture.

Sandwich Ingredients:

Complete your meatball subs with these simple sandwich ingredients:

1. Rolls: Hoagie rolls are the classic choice for building these sandwiches. Their sturdy texture and soft interior make them perfect for holding the juicy meatballs and sauce.
2. Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese or provolone cheese are excellent choices for melting over the meatballs. Their mild flavor and creamy texture complement the other ingredients perfectly.

How to Make Ultimate Meatball Sandwiches

Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious slow cooker meatball subs!

Make the Sauce:

The slow cooker does the work of creating a delicious marinara sauce.

1. In a slow cooker, combine all the “marinara sauce” ingredients and whisk until well combined. This ensures the flavors meld together as they cook.

Make the Meatballs:

These meatballs are simple to prepare and packed with flavor.

1. In a large mixing bowl, add all the meatball ingredients and mix thoroughly to combine. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough meatballs.
2. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion out a small amount of the meatball mixture and roll it into a meatball. Aim for about 16 meatballs in total.
3. Gently place each meatball in the slow cooker, arranging them side by side on top of the marinara sauce. This ensures even cooking and prevents the meatballs from sticking together.

Cook the Meatballs:

Let the slow cooker work its magic!

1. Cook on LOW for approximately 7 hours, or until the center of the meatballs is no longer pink. Alternatively, cook on HIGH for 5 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level.

Make the Subs:

The final step is assembling and broiling the meatball subs.

1. Once the meatballs are cooked through, preheat your oven to broil.
2. Slice the hoagie rolls in half lengthwise and place them on a sheet pan. Evenly distribute about 4 meatballs with the sauce into each hoagie roll. Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
3. Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Enjoy your delicious meatball subs with a side salad for a complete meal!

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Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

By:

Julia Pacheco

Slow cooker meatball subs are a delicious and easy dinner recipe to make for busy weeknights that the whole family will enjoy!

Prep:

15
minutes

mins

Cook:

7
hours

hrs

Total:

7
hours

hrs
15
minutes

mins

Servings:
4

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Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Large mixing bowl
• Cookie scoop
• Sheet pan