We had a make-your-own-sub night with pizza subs and meatball subs, and it was simply delicious!! Make-your-own style is popular in our home because everyone has their likes (and of course dislikes) and this is a way that one meal can be made with several variations. These meatballs are delicious and can be made in the slow cooker or on the stovetop and are excellent as meatball subs or even with pasta!
Meatballs actually date back thousands of years and variations of the meatball, made of minced meat like pork, beef and lamb and then seasoned and cooked are found in many cultures. They often added lentils, or a grain to the minced meat as well. In the 1800’s, minced meat was combined with cooked mashed vegetables, spices and seasonings, egg and a binder like bread or oat flakes and then rolled into meatballs and then baked or pan fried. In the 1900’s, meatballs were cooked with tomatoes and served with pasta because it was an inexpensive way to feed a hungry family.
Let’s get started!
It really is quite simple to make these delicious meatball subs! All you need is submarine sandwich buns or buns of your choice along with your favorite veggies like green pepper, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, mushrooms and so on, cheese like mozzarella or provolone and of course the meatballs and sauce!
With homemade, everyone can have their sandwich to their liking! Assemble it like a taco bar and with a little bit of prep, mealtime is complete! You can add as much of your favorite veggie toppings as you like, or as little. You can have it as spicy as you like or simply as is. They really are versatile and we love that we can customize it! It is a perfect meal for a large family, or for a family of picky eaters!
I left my sub quite simple — some green pepper in the bottom, then meatballs and sauce and topped with cheese. The remaining veggies I tossed onto my plate and ate it as a salad with an Italian dressing (some balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning). Delicious!
Meatball Subs
We made the sauce from scratch:
1 chopped onion
1 tbsp oil
1/2 cup water
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried onion flakes
2 tsp dried chives
3 tbsp Italian seasoning
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 large cans tomatoes
1/2 cup water
Sauté onion in oil and water. Add seasonings. Once onions are translucent, add tomatoes. Cook, covered, for 45 minutes adding more seasonings if desired. Puree with an immersion blender.
Meatballs
1-1/2 lbs ground beef
2 slices bread torn up and soaked in 1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
1 tsp dried chives
1/2 tsp salt
fresh cracked pepper
Mix altogether. Form into meatballs and drop straight into simmering sauce. Cook 30 minutes longer, covered, stirring carefully. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese to sauce. Stir. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
We used bakery fresh sub buns, but you can absolutely bake your own! Add your favourite toppings and cheese to these scrumptious homemade meatball subs!
enjoy from Our City Homestead to yours