ITALIAN MEATBALL SUB SANDWICHES (SLOW COOKER)

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth cheesy and perfect for a party, game day or easy dinner win!  The BEST juicy, flavorful Italian meatballs are bathed in rich, zesty marinara sauce, smothered in mozzarella, and cocooned in Hawaiian sweet sub-buns or dinner rolls for the most fantastic, tummy-pleasing sliders ever!

Meatball Marinara Sub Sandwiches

EASY TO MAKE AHEAD IN YOUR SLOW COOKER!

Turkey Meatballs in the slow cooker are not only easy, they are tender and so flavorful that they almost melt in your mouth!  The fresh sweet onion and basil makes for a fresh marinara sauce that cooks up slow and low all day - the smells and taste are incredible! 

​You can use your favorite slider or sub/sausage buns - I found a fresh display of Hawaiian sub rolls and just knew that they would be delicious for these hearty subs - a great flavor combination.  You can also make individual "bite-size" Italian Meatball Sliders using Hawaiian dinner rolls, which are perfect for appetizers and football parties.

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches

​I know some boys that are going to be REALLY happy when it is dinner time tonight!  After a day filled with activities, these Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are going to make their tummies VERY happy!  A nice change of pace from hot dogs, burgers, and other typical campfire and football party food!

​So easy to make ahead - the Turkey Meatballs in Fresh Marinara Sauce are made ahead in the slow cooker, and just need to be heated up before serving them up on fresh submarine buns or slider rolls.  Shredded mozzarella cheese melts on top of the hot meatballs, and with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and some fresh basil, dinner is ready to serve in a flash.

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches with Marinara Sauce

BEEF OR TURKEY - IT'S ALL GOOD!

Although I typically make these turkey meatballs golf-ball sized, if you are making subs or sliders for a large group, you can make the meatballs just a tad bit smaller.  You can also substitute beef for the turkey with no recipe changes. 

​The meatballs are so easy to make ahead of time, and the recipe is easy to double or triple.  If you're feeding a big crowd, you can also make these up ahead of time and wrap individually in foil - keep them warm in your slow cooker, and they're ready to hand out to the gang when they are ready for a bite to eat.

Turkey Meatball Marinara Sub Sandwiches

Bet you wish you were coming over for supper tonight!  With lots of boys to feed tonight, I'm betting there won't be any leftover...

​Time for some great sandwiches on shore and around the campfire - and then some S'Mores!  A perfect dinner, don't you think?

ITALIAN MEATBALL SUB SANDWICHES

Irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth cheesy Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches are perfect for a party, game day or dinner win!  The BEST juicy, flavorful Italian meatballs are bathed in rich, zesty marinara, smothered in mozzarella and cocooned in Hawaiian sweet sub-buns or dinner rolls for the most fantastic, tummy- pleasing sliders ever!  Enjoy!
​

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwiches

​INGREDIENTS:
MEATBALLS:
1 large egg
2 lbs lean ground turkey (or substitute beef)
2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs (Italian seasoned)
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 large onion sweet onion, diced
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
 
SANDWICHES:
Sub Buns (or slider buns if you want to serve these as an Appetizer)
2 cups Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
Parmesan Cheese (grated)
Fresh Basil (chopped)
 
HOW I MAKE THESE:

1. Beat the egg in a large mixing bowl.  Add the ground turkey, Panko bread crumbs, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, parmesan, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything with your hands or a wood spoon just until the ingredients are combined - avoid overmixing.  Roll into golf-ball sized balls.  Place all rolled meatballs on a large baking sheet.
2. Place diced onion in the bottom of the crockpot, topped with 1 can of crushed tomatoes.
3. Coat a large skillet with remaining tablespoon of olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Lightly brown the meatballs (only 6-8 meatballs at a time) for about 1 minute on each side. Do not skip this step!  Layer the meatballs into the crockpot as you're browning each batch. Once all browned meatballs have been added to the crockpot, pour remaining can of crushed tomatoes on top.  Cover and cook on low for 6-6.5 hours.
4. In sub buns, place 3 to 4 meatballs; cover with marinara sauce from slow cooker.  Sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese (it will melt from the heat of the meatballs).  Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and a little chopped fresh basil and serve immediately!
5. NOTES:   The most important step before going into the crockpot is to sear the meatballs after they’ve been formed. Searing quickly on each side helps hold all the juices inside the meatball, while gently browning the outside.  Don’t skip this step – you don’t want your meatballs to crumble all over the place in the crockpot.

YIELD:  approximately 6 to 8 sub sandwiches

Originally posted June 2016 & January 2020 as Italian Meatball Marinara Sub Sandwiches; revised and reposted February 2021.
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