Meatball Sub Sandwiches (slow cooker with frozen meatballs)

These 4-ingredient meatball sub sandwiches use frozen meatballs and a jar of marinara to make the easiest crockpot dump meal ever. 

These super easy slow cooker meatball subs will be your best friend on those busy days when you just can’t even.

Use premade ingredients and dump them in a crockpot for a hearty and delicious dinner that the whole family will love!

You can even make these with plant-based “meatballs” or turkey meatballs!

Ingredients

• Frozen Italian-style meatballs are the base of this recipe. You don’t need to thaw them first.
• A jar of marinara sauce. Your favorite brand will do. It gets cooked down and makes a robust sauce with the meatballs.
• Sub rolls or hoagie rolls that are about 6 inches long. If they aren’t split, use a serrated bread knife to split them without cutting them through.
• Thin sliced provolone cheese. A pack of pre-sliced provolone will do. We aren’t getting too fancy here.

Variations

• Go meatless by using frozen plant-based meatballs. Gardein and Impossible brands are easy to find!
• Use turkey meatballs if you don’t eat beef.
• Switch up the cheese: Sliced or shredded mozzarella, fresh ricotta, or white American cheese are great options.
• Make it spicy: Add 1 teaspoon or more crushed red pepper flakes to the crockpot with the marinara to make a spicy sauce.

Meatball Sandwich Topping Ideas

A meatball hoagie is delicious and satisfying on its own. But if you want a little something extra, go ahead and add your favorite toppings.

Think about the topping you like at your favorite sandwich spot. Go wild!

My favorite toppings are: 

• Mild or spicy pickled peppers 
• Black olives
• Vinegar
• Parmesan cheese
• Shredded basil or parsley

Step by Step

Dump the bag of meatballs in your slow cooker. Then, dump in the jar of marinara.

Stir them together to coat the meatballs.

Turn that baby on and let ’em cook. They’ll need 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Cook times may vary based on your crockpots temperature.

Once the meatballs are heated, split your sub rolls. It’s easy to do with a serrated bread knife.

Each sub will hold about 8 of the little meatballs. I like to add 2 thin slices of provolone and toast them.

If you like them toasted, pop them in a 350℉ oven for about 5 minutes.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover meatballs, bread, and cheese separately. Store the meatballs in the refrigerator in a covered container for several days.

Make Ahead Sandwiches

Wrap them in foil and refrigerate until ready to eat. Keep wrapped and reheat for 10-15 minutes @ 350℉. Then, open the foil and continue to heat until hot and toasty.

If you make them ahead, don’t add too much sauce. It can make them soggy. Also, use a sharpie to label the top side of the wrapped sandwich. You’ll want to keep it upright while reheating.

How to Feed a Crowd

Double this recipe in a 6-quart slow cooker and set up a meatball sub sandwich station. A double recipe will yield 16 subs. If you have more people to feed, use more than 1 crockpot.

Cook the meatballs as directed. Once heated, stir them and switch the slow cooker to the warm setting. 

Set up a serving station with split sub rolls, cheese, toppings, and plates. Include your favorite side dishes for meatball subs.

Don’t forget plenty of napkins! 

It’s easiest to skip the toasting step on a buffet line.

Serving Tips

This is the perfect easy 4-ingredient slow cooker dump meal for busy days. Make it when your kid has baseball or softball, and you need an effortless and filling dinner. You can even use a travel crockpot and bring these to the game or tailgating. 

A hot dinner on busy nights. Use the keep warm feature on your slow cooker. Your family can serve themselves on busy evenings when everyone eats at different times.

Perfect for RV camping! I recommend skipping the cheese melting step. Plug in your slow cooker outside the camper and let these babies simmer while you have fun or relax. Serve them up without melting the cheese. Enjoy these meatball subs in the fresh air. No one will care about toasting! 

A take-along meal. Small gatherings, super bowl parties, potlucks, and outdoor events where you can keep the crockpot warm. Bring along sliced watermelon and a bag of chips!

Don’t heat the house. Plug the crockpot on the porch if you’re cooking these on a hot day. That way, you keep the heat outside. Another case for skipping the toasting step!

Remember the sides. Serve a meatball sub with your favorite deli-style salad. They’re delicious with summer veggie pasta salad or 5-minute coleslaw. Or, for a super easy dinner, serve it with potato chips.

More Sandwich Recipes

• Italian Pressed Sandwich
• Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
• Tasty Turkey Bagel Sandwich
• Roast Beef Sliders

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