After practice
The broiler does the loud work while you set the table.
The meatballs are already warm in the sauce, so dinner is just filling rolls and a quick broil.
Melted cheese, a hot sub, and a kid who thinks you cooked all afternoon.
Ingredients
For this batch of after-practice meatball subs, makes 4 subs is the planning size and 12 minutes to finish (meatballs precooked) is the work window.
- 20 frozen fully-cooked meatballs
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 sub or hoagie rolls
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
How to Make It
Use the pan time for after-practice meatball subs wisely, then move the meal into bowls, boxes, or storage.
- Simmer the frozen meatballs in the marinara with the Italian seasoning over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the meatballs reach 165F.
- Split the rolls, leaving a hinge, and lay them open on a sheet pan.
- Spoon 5 meatballs and sauce into each roll, then top with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Broil 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling, watching closely so the bread does not burn.
Do the Slow Part Early
Heat the meatballs in sauce earlier and keep them warm, so the after-practice step is just filling and broiling. The toaster oven handles the broil while you set the table.
- Simmer the meatballs in sauce in the afternoon and keep them in a covered pot
- Slice the rolls and shred the cheese ahead
- Reheat the sauced meatballs while the broiler preheats
Store and Reheat
Store the meatballs and sauce separate from the bread so nothing turns soggy. Toast fresh rolls when you reheat.
- Microwave the sauced meatballs 2 minutes, then build on a fresh toasted roll
- Stovetop: reheat the meatballs 5 minutes over medium with a splash of water
- Sauced meatballs keep 4 days in the fridge or 3 months frozen
- Serve with: potato chips, carrot sticks
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Make them sliders
Use slider buns and 2 meatballs each for smaller hands.
Swap in turkey meatballs
Frozen turkey meatballs simmer the same way and lighten the sub.
Add peppers and onions
Saute sliced peppers and onions to pile on under the cheese.
Use pesto
Spread pesto inside the roll before the meatballs for a herby version.
Go open-faced
Skip the top of the roll and eat it with a fork if the kids are extra hungry.
Plan The Next Step
Map out your fast-finish meals
Use the planner to slot in a few dinners that come together right after you walk in.