Easy Slow Cooker Meatball Subs Recipe Perfect for a Crowd
A simple and delicious slow cooker meatball subs recipe that’s perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort. Tender meatballs simmered in flavorful marinara sauce, topped with melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese on soft sub rolls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg) fully cooked frozen meatballs (beef, turkey, or mix)
- 4 cups (950 ml) marinara sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 to 10 sub rolls or hoagie rolls (6–8 inches each)
- 3 cups (about 340 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) finely grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups marinara sauce with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Stir well.
- Gently fold in 3 pounds of frozen meatballs, coating each with the sauce mixture.
- Pour the meatball and sauce mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker and spread evenly.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, stirring gently halfway through.
- About 15 minutes before done, slice sub rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through.
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop meatballs and sauce into each roll. Top with about ⅓ cup shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Place assembled subs on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese bubbles and browns slightly.
- Remove from oven, garnish with chopped basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Use fully cooked frozen meatballs for best results. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Toast rolls lightly before filling to avoid sogginess. Broil cheese carefully to avoid burning. For gluten-free, use GF buns; for dairy-free, use vegan cheese or omit cheese and add extra marinara.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450550
- Fat: 1520
- Carbohydrates: 4550
- Fiber: 35
- Protein: 2530
Keywords: slow cooker, meatball subs, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, party food, comfort food, hoagie, marinara, mozzarella, parmesan