Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

A simple twist on a classic sloppy joe gets you this incredible meatball sub with all the flavors, but not as much of the mess.

Loaded with all the beefy tomato flavors you expect with a traditional sloppy joe, this quick and hearty meal is a weeknight favorite, and great for serving hungry kids during back to school!

Why You’ll Love These Subs

• Easy comfort food: They are classic, cozy, and the whole family will love them.
• A few simple ingredients: Meatballs, a can of sloppy joe sauce, sub rolls, and cheese.
• Less mess: The meatballs hold the sauce, so you get all the sloppy joe flavor without it running down your arm.
• Great for busy nights: They feed hungry kids fast, and you can make them on smaller buns with smaller meatballs for little ones.

More Sloppy Joe Night Ideas

We love putting sloppy joe sauce on the menu at our house. If your family does too, try this Sloppy Joe Casserole, these Sloppy Joe Nachos, or my homemade Instant Pot Sloppy Joes.

How to Make Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

These meatball sub sandwiches are a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch, and can be made in bulk to feed a crowd, or customized based on if you are feeding adults or kids. I like to make them on smaller buns, with smaller meatballs when serving them to kids.

• Make the Meatballs: Mix up your meatballs using ground beef, ground sausage, some seasonings and onion. OR…skip meatball prep and buy frozen meatballs at the store. I personally prefer the homemade, and this recipe is so quick and easy, you won’t even mind the extra work.
  
• Brown Meatballs: In order to maximize the flavor of the meatballs, you want to sear them on all sides, giving them a nice brown all around before adding your sauce.
  
• Add Sloppy Joe Sauce: This is where you pour sauce over top, and let simmer. I use 1 can, but if you want these subs to be extra saucy, you can always add a second can.
  
• Simmer: Let it all simmer 10-15 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Check with an instant read thermometer to insure safe temperature for consuming. 
• Assemble: Spoon meatballs into sub rolls, and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
  
• Broil: Place in a broiler for 1-2  minutes until cheese is melted, and 
• Garnish with fresh parsley

Other Recipe Ideas

• Fall Harvest Salad
• Smashed Potatoes
• Chocolate Cake (Classic)
• Cranberry Apple Raspberry Brunch Punch

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

Delicious and easy to make meatball subs simmered in sloppy joe sauce and topped with melted mozzarella. A hearty, kid friendly dinner for busy weeknights.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: meatball sub, sandwich, sloppy joe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 454kcal

Author: Rachael

Equipment

Large Skillet

Mixing Bowl Set

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound Ground beef
• 1/2 pound Ground pork sausage
• ¼ cup Minced onion
• 1 teaspoon Garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil or butter
• 1 can Sloppy joe sauce 15 oz, or homemade
• 6 Submarine rolls
• 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

• Mix ground beef, ground sausage, minced onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper in large bowl.
• Shape into 18 (1 inch) meatballs.
• Melt butter or heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and brown the exterior of the meatballs, flipping and turning them until fully browned and partially cooked through
• Pour the sloppy joe sauce over top, and let simmer.
• Simmer 10-15 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.
• Preheat oven to broil.
• Evenly distribute meatballs into sub rolls, and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
• Broil 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted
• Garnish with fresh parsley

Nutrition

Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1376mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 398IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 13mg

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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