This Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sandwich recipe is a perfect weeknight dinner inspired by Firehouse Sub's new sandwich. It's loaded with tons of mozzarella, jarred marinara sauce, pepperonis for crunch, and garlic rubbed ciabatta bread. For convenience, frozen meatballs are used but you could absolutely use homemade.
Table of Contents
What is Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sandwich
The Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sandwich is a delectable fusion of classic Italian flavors and the cozy comfort of a sandwich, tailor-made for those bustling weeknight dinners.
Imagine sinking your teeth into a crusty, garlic-rubbed ciabatta, toasted to golden perfection.
Inside, a generous heap of succulently seasoned meatballs – use convenient frozen ones for ease or homemade for that extra touch of love.
Each bite is a symphony of flavors: the meatballs are lavishly smothered in a rich, herb-infused marinara sauce, straight from the jar for convenience.
It's also blanketed in a molten layer of stretchy, gooey mozzarella that strings along with every bite.
And if you're into sweet heat like me, there's an added drizzle of honey for more goodness!!
But the real game-changer here is the clever inclusion of crispy, slightly spicy pepperoni cups, adding a crunchy, spicy contrast to the tender meatballs and soft bread.
It's a dish that promises to bring a slice of Italian pizzeria magic to your dinner table, effortlessly blending the simplicity of a sandwich with the soul-satisfying taste of a classic pepperoni pizza.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Olive Oil - Any neutral oil will work just fine!
- Frozen Meatballs - If you're not a fan of frozen meatballs, you can use my easy ricotta meatballs that are so dang good!
- Marinara Sauce - I'm using Rao's but you could use whatever red sauce you prefer.
- Ciabatta Buns - Not a fan of ciabatta? No worries! Make them on a sub roll or some italian bread.
- Garlic Cloves - You'll need real garlic cloves to rub on the bread for the best results, but you could sprinkle the bread with garlic powder if necessary.
- Fresh Mozzarella - Fresh mozzarella lends the best texture and flavor but low moisture mozzarella will also work.
- Pepperoni Cups - Pepperoni cups are my absolute favorite thing but if you can't find the cups, regular pepperoni works fine, too. You can also purchase them from target FYI!
- Basil - Fresh basil adds so much to this recipe but if you're not a fan, feel free to leave it out.
- Optional Honey Or hot honey is totally optional but I love honey on pepperoni pizza so I recommend it!
How to make it
Heat up the Meatballs and Sauce: Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan over medium heat and add the frozen meatballs, stirring every few minutes to brown the sides. Once brown, add the tomato sauce, stir, and cover, and turn on medium-low to heat the sauce and meatballs.
Prepare the Garlic Rubbed Ciabatta: Meanwhile, turn on your broiler. Split ciabatta buns and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and a hefty sprinkle of salt. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and rub the crusty side of the bread with the garlic clove.
Build the Meatball Sandwiches: Then add the heated tomato sauce onto the top and bottom halves of the buns. Add mozzarella cheese to the top bun and sprinkle it with salt. Now add the meatballs to the bottom bun (should be about four meatballs per sandwich), then add a little more sauce on top followed by the pepperoni.
Toast the Sandwich: Place the baking sheet back in the oven for a few more minutes or until the pepperoni are crisp and the cheese has little bits of golden brown.
Finish the Sandwich: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the basil. Drizzle honey if you’re into that and then close the sandwiches up and serve.
Sides for Meatball Subs
If you're looking for meatball sub sides, i recommend trying one of these tasty recipes:
- Rustic Tortellini Soup
- Kale Butternut Squash Salad
- Creamy White Lasagna Soup with Veggies
- Tortellini Pesto Salad
- Burrata Caprese
- Sausage Kale and White Bean Soup
- Chicken Florentine Soup
- Dirty Martini Pasta Salad
- Shaved Carrot Salad with Cranberries & Feta
Frequently asked questions
Is pepperoni good on a meatball sub?
Definitely! Adding pepperoni to a meatball sub brings a delightful twist, infusing each bite with a spicy, crispy kick that elevates the classic sandwich to a whole new level of deliciousness.
What toppings go best on meatball sub?
For a meatball sub that's truly sublime, try layering on melted provolone or mozzarella for gooey goodness, a sprinkle of Parmesan for a cheesy punch, and a dash of fresh basil or oregano to bring a burst of herby freshness - a trio that'll take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey!
What is the best cheese to put on meatball subs?
The best cheese for meatball subs? You can't go wrong with a generous layer of fresh mozzarella or sharp provolone – their creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness beautifully complements the rich, savory meatballs, creating a symphony of flavors that's simply irresistible.
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Recipe
Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sub Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil divided
- 2 cups Frozen Meatballs about 8 large meatballs
- 2.5 cups Marinara Sauce
- 2 Ciabatta Buns
- 1-2 cloves Garlic
- 4 thick slices Fresh Mozzarella
- 10 Pepperoni Cups
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Basil julienned
Optional
Instructions
- Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan over medium heat and add the frozen meatballs, stirring every few minutes to brown the sides.
- Once brown, add the tomato sauce, stir, and cover, and turn on medium-low to heat the sauce and meatballs.
- Meanwhile, turn on your broiler. Split ciabatta buns and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and a hefty sprinkle of salt. Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and rub the crusty side of the bread with the garlic clove.
- Then add the heated tomato sauce onto the top and bottom halves of the buns.
- Add mozzarella cheese to the top bun and sprinkle it with salt. Then add meatballs to the bottom bun (should be about four meatballs per sandwich), then add a little more sauce on top followed by the pepperoni.
- Place the baking sheet back in the oven for a few more minutes or until the pepperoni are crisp and the cheese has little bits of golden brown.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the basil. Drizzle honey if you’re into that and then close the sandwiches up and serve.
