Meatball Boats

Who doesn’t love a good meatball? These little guys are perfect for a quick and easy meal. This recipe for meatball boats takes advantage of pre-made meatballs from the grocery store, making it a snap to put together.

The best part is that the whole family will love them!

Making meatball boats is a lot of fun. You get to be creative and make whatever kind of meatball you want.

Plus, they’re really easy to make!

Plus, these boats are incredibly versatile – you can customize them with your favorite toppings.

Voila! You’ve got yourself some delicious and fun-to-eat meatball boats!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why we love this Meatball Boats recipe

We love this Meatball Boats recipe because it is a fun and creative way to enjoy a classic meatball sub. The mini hoagie rolls make for a perfect single serving, and the addition of asiago cheese and the marinara sauce takes the flavor to the next level.

What Bread to Use for Meatball Subs?

For Meatball Subs, you can use any bread that can hold the meatballs and sauce, such as a hoagie roll, baguette, or ciabatta. However, mini hoagie rolls work particularly well in this recipe as they are the perfect size for a single serving.

Can I use store-bought sauce or meatballs?

Yes, you can definitely use store-bought sauce or meatballs if you’re short on time. However, homemade meatballs and marinara sauce will give you a more flavorful and satisfying result.

Using store-bought sauce really speeds up the prep, same with pre-made meatballs. You get to pick what ingredients you use.

What temperature should I cook meatballs to?

The internal temperature of cooked meatballs should reach 160°F to ensure that they are fully cooked and safe to eat.

What To Serve With Meatball Sub Bake?

You can serve Meatball Sub Bake with a side of salad, chips, or fries. Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks also make a great addition to this dish.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Minced garlic
• Fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil
• Marinara sauce
• Hoagie rolls
• Asiago cheese

How to make Meatball Boats:

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2. Prep baking pan with nonstick spray.

Step 3. Add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan, garlic, and parsley to a bowl.

Step 4. Using your hands work the ingredients together.

Step 5. Add salt and pepper.

Step 6. With the ice cream scoop start to form your meatballs. Set aside.

Step 7. Add the oil to the skillet heating it to medium.

Step 8. Add one meatball at a time to the heated skillet.

Step 9. Cook for about 5 minutes or until they are seared on all sides.

Step 10. Place the meatballs on a parchment-covered baking pan into the oven, and cook for 12 minutes.

Step 11. Remove from the oven and set to the side.

Step 12. Cut an oval on the top of the roll leaving about an ½ inch on the ends and sides.

Step 13. Scoop but do not cut through to the bottom half of the roll.

Step 14. Use a knife to hollow out the top of the roll.

Step 15. Place the roll on the baking pan.

Step 16. Lay 1 slice of cheese in the hollowed-out area.

Step 17. Return to the oven and cook for 8 minutes.

Step 18. Add 2 tbsp. of marinara on top of the cheese.

Step 19. Place 3 meatballs on top of the cheese.

Step 20. Add more marinara on top of the meatballs.

Step 21. Place grated parmesan cheese on top of the marinara.

Step 22. Return to the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes.

Meatball Boats

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6 Hoagies

Who doesn't love a good meatball? These little guys are perfect for a quick and easy meal. This recipe for meatball boats takes advantage of pre-made meatballs from the grocery store, making it a snap to put together.

4.40 from 79 votes

Review Recipe

Ingredients 

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ C breadcrumbs
• ¼ C Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp. garlic, Minced
• 1 Tbsp parsley, fresh chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 C marinara sauce
• 8 mini hoagie rolls
• 12 slices asiago cheese

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Prep baking pan with nonstick spray.
• Add the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parmesan, garlic, and parsley to a bowl.
• Using your hands work the ingredients together.
• Add salt and pepper.
• With the ice cream scoop start to form your meatballs.
• Set aside.
• Add the oil to the skillet heating it to medium.
• Add one meatball at a time to the heated skillet.
• Cook for about 5 minutes or until they are seared on all sides.
• Place the meatballs on a parchment-covered baking pan into the oven.
• Cook for 12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and set to the side.
• Cut an oval on the top of the roll leaving about an ½ inch on the ends and sides.
• Scoop but do not cut through to the bottom half of the roll.
• Use a knife to hollow out the top of the roll.
• Place the roll on the baking pan.
• Lay 1 slice of cheese in the hollowed-out area.
• Return to the oven and cook for 8 minutes.
• Add 2 tbsp. of marinara on top of the cheese.
• Place 3 meatballs on top of the cheese.
• Add more marinara on top of the meatballs.
• Place grated parmesan cheese on top of the marinara.
• Return to the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes.
• Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 1681mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g

Author: Laura

PIN FOR LATER 🙂

What toppings should go on a meatball sub?

Common toppings for a meatball sub include grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, sliced onion, and banana peppers. However, you can customize your toppings based on your preferences.

How do you keep meatball subs from getting soggy?

To keep meatball subs from getting soggy, there are a few things you can do:

1. Toast the bread: Before assembling the sub, toast the bread in the oven or on a pan. This will help the bread to stay crispy and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
2. Use a slotted spoon to add meatballs: When adding the meatballs to the bread, use a slotted spoon to remove any excess sauce. This will help to prevent the bread from getting too wet.
3. Serve the sauce on the side: Instead of adding the sauce directly to the sub, serve it on the side. This will allow people to add as much sauce as they want, without making the bread too soggy.
4. Use a thick, crusty bread: A thick, crusty bread will hold up better to the moisture from the sauce and meatballs. Avoid using softer breads that will quickly become soggy.

More meatballs recipes

Honey Sriracha Meatballs – Sweet and spicy Honey Sriracha Turkey Meatballs that are perfect for a weekly meal prep!

Italian Meatballs – If you are in the mood for something amazing, try this Grandma’s Italian Meatballs!

Meatballs and Potatoes Soup – The perfect way to warm up on a chilly day.