Name: Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs – Easy Recipes With Ground Beef
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 16 oz frozen meatballs; 2 cups marinara sauce; 4 hoagie rolls or sub buns; 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for toasting buns); Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

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When my week hits that mid-point slump—you know, the one where cooking feels like a marathon—this is my go-to rescue plan: meatball subs. They’re the kind of meal that hugs you back after a long day. Packed with juicy, saucy meatballs and melty cheese, they check every comfort food box. Plus, they’re quick enough that I don’t end up ordering takeout. Again. You don’t need a fancy roll or a gourmet sauce. What you do need is about 20 minutes and a craving for something warm and hearty. These subs use frozen meatballs (no judgment here), marinara straight from the jar, and a solid broil in the oven to finish strong. Crispy bread. Gooey cheese. Saucy everything. It’s a solid yes from me. And let’s be honest—if you’ve got kids, picky eaters, or just a partner who needs convincing that sandwiches can be dinner, this one wins them over every single time. Game night, lazy Sunday, or just another Tuesday? These subs fit the mood.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs Recipe
3) Ingredients for Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs
4) How to Make Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs
5) Tips for Making Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs
6) Making Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs
8) Try these Dinners next!
9) Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Fast and easy comfort food you can make in 20 minutes
Kid-approved and adult-loved classic dinner idea
Uses frozen meatballs and pantry staples like marinara and sub rolls
Perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals

2) Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs Recipe

Let’s talk about comfort food that doesn’t ask much from you. These easy weeknight meatball subs are warm, cheesy, and loaded with flavor. The kind of easy recipe with ground beef that feels like a treat but skips the fuss. You’ll take frozen meatballs and give them a quick simmer in marinara sauce while the buns toast up crisp in the oven. Melted mozzarella over saucy meatballs? Yes, please. It’s the food version of wearing sweatpants after a long day—zero judgment, maximum reward.

I love these on nights when I’m tempted to just eat cereal. They feel homemade even though I’ve barely done anything. That’s the magic of smart shortcuts. Toss on some fresh herbs if you’re feeling extra, or leave them plain and gooey. Either way, it’s a win. Plus, they reheat like a dream for lunch the next day, and let’s be honest, not many sandwiches can say that.

This easy weeknight meatball subs recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike. You’ll want to keep the ingredients on hand because it sneaks onto the weekly dinner rotation fast. And with the main keyword used naturally? Let’s just say we’re checking all the right boxes.

3) Ingredients for Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs

Frozen Meatballs: A real lifesaver. I always keep a bag in the freezer for nights when cooking from scratch feels like too much. Just heat and eat.

Marinara Sauce: Grab a jar of your favorite or use homemade if you’ve got it stashed away. It’s the glue that holds this meatball miracle together.

Hoagie Rolls: Something sturdy that can hold up to sauce and cheese. I like ones with a soft inside but a crisp outer edge after toasting.

Shredded Mozzarella: Melty, stringy, and everything you want on top of warm meatballs. Go generous here—it’s not the time for skimping.

Butter: Optional, but toasting the rolls with a little butter takes this sandwich from good to great. Adds crunch and flavor.

Fresh Herbs: Basil or parsley adds a fresh note. Totally optional, but a nice touch if you’ve got them hanging around.

4) How to Make Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. You want it hot enough to melt the cheese and toast the bread to golden perfection.

Step 2. Toss the frozen meatballs into a saucepan with the marinara sauce. Let them simmer together over medium heat for about 10–12 minutes, or until heated through.

Step 3. While the meatballs are doing their thing, prep the hoagie rolls. Slice them lengthwise but don’t cut all the way through—you want a pocket to hold the filling.

Step 4. Optional, but worth it: brush the inside of each roll with butter and give them a quick toast in a skillet or under the broiler for extra crunch.

Step 5. Stuff each roll with warm meatballs and spoon on some extra sauce. Don’t hold back here—sauciness is key.

Step 6. Pile on the mozzarella and place the subs on a baking sheet. Broil just until the cheese bubbles and browns a little.

Step 7. Sprinkle with herbs if you’re using them. Serve hot, and maybe grab a napkin—you’re gonna need it.

5) Tips for Making Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs

Let’s make your meatball subs foolproof. First, don’t overcrowd your pan when heating the meatballs. They’ll cook more evenly if they’re not all smashed together.

Toast the bread just before serving. It keeps the crust crispy and the inside soft, which is what you want when biting into something warm and cheesy. A soggy sub is nobody’s favorite.

Use a good, thick marinara sauce. Thin sauces will run all over the place. You want the kind that clings to the meatballs like they’re best friends. A sprinkle of extra cheese never hurt either. I like to throw on some grated parmesan after broiling—it adds that little extra salty bite.

6) Making Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs Ahead of Time

You can absolutely prep parts of this meal ahead. Heat the meatballs in sauce and keep them in the fridge until dinnertime. Rewarm gently and go from there.

Don’t assemble the full sub until you’re ready to eat. Bread and sauce left sitting together too long will get soft and sad. Keep them separate and bring it all together at the last minute for the best results.

You can also pre-toast the rolls and store them loosely wrapped in foil. That way, when dinner hits, all you need is a quick broil to melt the cheese. Easy recipes with ground beef should stay easy, and this one plays nice even when prepped early.

7) Storing Leftover Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs

Leftovers? Wrap them up in foil and pop them in the fridge. They’ll last up to three days, and they reheat nicely in the oven. I like to keep the bread and filling separate if I can—it helps the texture hold up better.

If you’re storing the full sandwich, reheat in foil at 350°F until warm. Skip the microwave if you can—it’ll zap the crunch right out of the bread.

This easy recipe with ground beef proves that dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be good, even the second time around. Add a little fresh cheese on top after reheating, and you’re back in comfort food heaven.

8) Try these Dinners next!

9) Easy Weeknight Meatball Subs