Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

Updated On: Oct 03, 2024

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Super simple Slow Cooker Meatball Subs are packed with flavor. Make this for an easy weeknight dinner or for your next game day when you need to feed a crowd.

crockpot meatball subs

Why I Love this Recipe

I don’t know about you, but I get cravings for slow cooker meals as soon as the weather starts to turn a bit cooler.  It could be anything as long as it’s in the slow cooker filling my house with delicious smells all day long like these Slow Cooker Meatball Subs.

One of my son’s favorite things to eat are meatball subs.  I think that boy could eat his weight in his favorite sammie if given the opportunity.  This recipe only takes four hours in the slow cooker and is delish on a toasted roll with a sprinkling (or a heap) of tart cheddar cheese.

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Meatballs
  • Crushed tomatoes
  • Red bell pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Chili pow der
  • Garlic powder
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Salt & Black pepper
  • Hoagie rolls
  • Sharp white cheddar cheese
slow cooker meatball sub sandwiches

How to Make

In a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper, brown sugar, dijon, chili powder, garlic powder, sriracha, nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the cooked meatballs, stirring gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Place meatballs on toasted hoagie rolls and top with extra sauce and cheese. Serve immediately.

slow cooker meatball sub sandwiches

Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

Slow cooked meatballs in a quick tomato sauce makes an easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 Servings

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • cup panko bread crumbs or other bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
  • teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg or ground nutmeg
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 8 hoagie rolls split and toasted
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl add the ground beef, egg, onion, bread crumbs, oregano, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Shape into 32 balls and arrange on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered. Remove from oven and discard the fat.
  • In a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker, add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper, brown sugar, dijon, chili powder, garlic powder, sriracha, nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the cooked meatballs, stirring gently to coat.
  • Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
  • Place meatballs on toasted hoagie rolls and top with extra sauce and cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 831mgPotassium: 752mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 986IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 256mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe? I’d love to see what you made!
Mention @farmgirlgourmet or tag #farmgirlgourmet !

Recipe By:

heather scholten founder of farmgirl gourmet and spiceology headshot
Co-Founder at  | More About Heather...

Heather is a recipe developer and content creator living in Vancouver, Washington. She started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006, almost 20 years ago, as a way to share recipes with friends and family. Heather is also the co-founder of Spiceology , a unique spice company, which she started in 2013. She shares family friendly recipes for easy everyday meals with a gourmet twist.

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  1. Heather Scholten says:

    5 stars
    The best meatballs subs in a crockpot. Hope you love this recipe!

  2. Pingback: 25+ Incredible Slow Cooker Recipes | Pocket Change Gourmet
  3. I made this last night, and it was great! The sauce was wonderfully rich and spicy 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  4. Making a batch of these right now. The sriracha + dijon mustard combination in the sauce seemed odd at first but now that I’ve tasted it I’m totally on board. Thanks 😉

  5. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says:

    We are totally making these very soon. Can’t wait for our tomato harvest so we can get some homemade tomatoes in this too!

  6. I love finding new slow cooker recipes for during the week! These look so good.

  7. Yes, I’ll take one of these, please.

  8. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says:

    This is my boys’ favorite kind of sandwich!

  9. Sandy@ReluctantEntertainer says:

    These sound and look soooo good, Heather! Will have to give them a try!

  10. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says:

    LOVE this, Heather! I need to use my slow cooker more, yes I do!!

  11. Mmmmmmm! These subs look amazing!

  12. bellalimento says:

    I love slow cooker meatballs. They rock.

  13. Muna Kenny says:

    It just called my name 🙂 … Made me hungry!

  14. These look too good!

  15. Marnely Rodriguez-Murray says:

    I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a meatball sub before….ever. Crazy huh. Might need to change that ASAP!

  16. These look delicious! I’ll definitely be trying them with my family!

  17. Mmm!! Loving these. They look awesome!

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