This Instant Pot meatball subs recipe is perfect for a hearty meal on a chilly winter night! These 30 minute, instant pot sandwiches will be a hit for weeknight dinner or for game day.
If you are a fan of quick and easy meal ideas, try my pressure cooker bbq chicken and my nutritious chicken bone broth in the instant pot.
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Why this Instant Pot Meatball Sub Recipe is a Keeper
The pressure in the instant pot infuses these instant pot meatballs with the same moist delicious flavor that you love in your meatball subs, however, the instant pot takes no time at all to prepare. So you get all the goodness in half the time.
- Makes Great Meal Leftovers: The leftovers are just as good!
- Delicious Flavor: These easy meatball subs taste amazing and are a hit every time. Especially with creamy mozzarella cheese,
- Great for Meal Prep: Make the best meatball subs in bulk to enjoy throughout the week.
- Low Maintenance: Instant pot one pot meals don’t require constant attention while cooking. It is so easy.
- Can Feed a Crowd: It can easily be scaled up to feed a large group, making it perfect for holidays or birthdays.
Can I Use Other Meat or Protein for the Meatballs?
Sure! Use any ground meat of your choosing to make this juicy homemade meatball sandwich recipe.
Ingredients Needed for Meatball Recipe
You will need just a few super simple ingredients to make this recipe. They’re all easy to find at the store, but you may even have some of the meatball ingredients in your kitchen already.
- Ground Beef: You will need one pound of your favorite ground beef. You could also try ground pork.
- Egg: One large egg will help to hold your meatball mix together.
- Parmesan Cheese: Fresh grated parmesan cheese helps to hold the mix together, but also adds a delicious cheesy flavor to your tomato sauce hoagie. If you love meatballs, you’ll love them even more with cheese!
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Make Meatball Sub Sandwich
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save you time and kitchen space if you’re hosting a party!
- Make Meat Mix: Mix up the meatball mixture in advance and store covered in the fridge so that it’s ready to roll into balls.
- Roll the Meatballs: Roll the meat mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet. You can also store the meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use.
Special Equipment Needed for this Popular Recipe
Sometimes you need a specific piece of equipment/item to make a recipe just right. In this case, all you need is an instant pot!
- Instant Pot: An instant pot is going to cook your homemade meatballs with marinara sauce quickly.
Pro Tip for Easy Italian Meatball Sub
Balance the Flavors: When assembling your sub, balance the richness of the meatballs and sauce with a touch of acidity. A drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a nice contrast.
How to Make Instant Pot Easy Italian Meatballs and Sauce
This easy meatball subs recipe comes together in 6 easy to follow steps. This recipe is so good, you will want to make these meatballs and marinara sauce hoagie rolls all the time!
These are the basic steps for making Instant Pot Meatball Subs. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Make Meat Mixture
Add ground beef, an egg, parmesan, breadcrumbs, onion powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper for meatballs to a bowl and mix well.
2. Roll the Meatballs
When you roll the meatballs, make sure they’re on the small side, so they cook all the way through. Use a small cookie scoop to measure, and roll into a ball with your hands.
3. Add Meatballs to Instant Pot
Add 1 cup of beef broth to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the pot and stack your meatballs evenly on top.
4. Cook the Meatballs
Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes. Allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes, then manually release until all the pressure is gone. Carefully remove the trivet with the meatballs on and set aside.
Pour out your broth and turn your instant pot to sauté mode.
5. Sauté Meatballs and Add Sauce for Meatball Subs
Place your meatballs back in for about 4 minutes and sauté to make the meatballs crisp. When done, pour over spaghetti sauce and mix well.
6. Assemble Meatball Subs
Take a slice of provolone cheese and slice it in half. Place each half on either side of your sub roll. Add meatballs and place on a baking sheet and transfer to broiler for about 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is toast.
Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Place the sub leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Leftover meatballs are just as good as the first time!
- Reheating: I like to reheat about 4 meatballs at a time, since that’s what fits into rolls. You can easily reheat in the microwave.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers with Loaded Baked Potato Salad.
Variations and Substitutions for these Homemade Meatball Sandwich in Marinara Sauce
This breakfast sliders recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by trying different toppings and experimenting with different flavors.
- Roasted Red Peppers: Add some roasted red peppers for a slightly spicy or peppery flavor.
- Caramelized Onions: Add a delicious savory flavor with caramelized onions.
- Hot Honey: Add a sweet and spicy kick with a drizzle of hot honey over the top of your subs.
- Cheese: Use your favorite such as romano or mozzarella cheese or a nice blend.
Best Meatball Recipe FAQs
Serve this recipe with Crock Pot Baked Beans, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, or Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip with Baked Healthy Tortilla Chips.
The meat mixture is mixed enough when the mix appears to be even in both texture and color.
Sure! Feel free to use any kind of store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own. You can also try using stuffing instead of breadcrumbs!
Expert Tips for Making This Easy Dinner Recipe
- Different Cheese: Try an Italian blend or a good mozzarella cheese.
- More Herbs: Use fresh basil to top off your sub or parsley
- Cream Sauce: Make a cream sauce for a play on a Swedish meatball sandwich.
- Chill the Mixture: Chill the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes before shaping. This helps the flavors meld and makes them easier to handle.
- Size Matters: Roll the meatballs into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- Mix Meatballs: When you mix the meat mixture together I prefer to use my hands, but you can use a hand mixer or spoon.
- Short Cut: If you would rather use frozen meatballs, use fully cooked meatballs and add the marinara sauce to warm meatballs.
Instant Pot Meatball Subs
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Ingredients
- 1 Egg
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 2 cups Spaghetti sauce
- 8 Top-sliced hot dog buns
- 8 slices Provolone cheese
- Parmesan cheese, optional
- Parsley, optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for meatballs to a bowl. Mix well. I prefer to use my hands, but you can use a hand mixer or spoon.
- You want to make sure the meatballs are on the smaller side, so they cook all the way through. I used a small cookie scoop to measure, and with my hands, rolled into a ball.
- Add 1 cup of beef broth to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place the trivet inside the pot. Add your meatballs evenly on the trivet. You can layer up!
- Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes. Allow it to naturally release for 10 minutes, then manually release until all the pressure is gone.
- Remove the trivet with the meatballs on. Set aside on a place or cutting board. Pour out your broth. Turn your Instant Pot onto Sauté mode.
- Place your meatballs back in and sauté to make the meatballs nice and crisp for about 4 minutes.
- When done, pour over your sauce, and mix well.
- Slice 1 provolone slice in half. Place one half on each side in your bun. Add meatballs between the cheese (I used 3 meatballs per sandwich). Microwave for 1 minute or in oven at 350℉ for about 5 minutes to melt your cheese and warm your bread.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley! Enjoy!
Christina’s Notes
- Different Cheese: Try an Italian blend or a good mozzarella cheese.
- More Herbs: fresh basil to top off your sub or parsley
- Cream Sauce: alternatively try a play on a Swedish meatball sandwich
- Chill the Mixture: Chill the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes before shaping. This helps the flavors meld and makes them easier to handle.
- Size Matters: Roll the meatballs into uniform sizes for even cooking.
- Mix Meatballs: When you mix the meat mixture together I prefer to use my hands, but you can use a hand mixer or spoon.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
These were perfect for a busy day…nothing like coming home to a delicious satisfying meal! Loved it!!
Meatballs Subs!! Yes, my kids will love these when I make them…and I will love them because they’re quick in the Instant Pot.
So easy and delicious!
My boys will LOVE these sandwiches! Can’t wait to try them!