Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
The Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella is a comforting sandwich filled with delicious flavors. This hearty meal features juicy meatballs bathed in rich marinara sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner, and it’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a great way to enjoy a classic Italian-American dish. It’s simple, quick, and made with ingredients you might already have at home. Whether you’re using homemade meatballs or frozen ones, this grinder is easy to whip up after a busy day. Plus, who can resist the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of warm, gooey cheese on top?
How to Make Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls or sub buns
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Butter (for toasting buns)
Directions
- Heat Meatballs: In a saucepan, simmer the meatballs in marinara sauce over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes.
- Toast Rolls: Lightly butter the inside of each hoagie roll and toast them in a skillet or oven until golden.
- Assemble: Place 3–4 meatballs in each toasted roll. Spoon extra marinara sauce over the top.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and broil for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with chopped parsley and serve hot.
How to Serve Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
Serve the Meatball Grinder warm, straight from the oven. You can pair it with a side of chips, a salad, or some roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Don’t forget extra marinara for dipping!
How to Store Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
If you have leftovers, store the meatball grinders in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or microwave until warmed through. You may want to add a little extra marinara sauce to keep them moist.
Tips to Make Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
- For the best flavor, use homemade marinara sauce, but store-bought works just fine.
- If you want more heat, add some red pepper flakes to the marinara sauce.
- Feel free to mix different cheeses, like provolone or parmesan, for a unique taste.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding sautéed onions, peppers, or mushrooms inside the grinder. Veggie meatballs can also be used for a vegetarian option.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes, frozen meatballs work perfectly in this recipe. Just make sure to heat them thoroughly in the marinara sauce.
2. What type of marinara sauce is best?
Any marinara sauce will work, but a thick and flavorful sauce will enhance the taste of the meatball grinder.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs and the sauce ahead of time. Just assemble the grinders right before you’re ready to serve them, to keep the rolls from getting soggy.

Meatball Grinder with Marinara & Mozzarella
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting sandwich filled with juicy meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 hoagie rolls or sub buns
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Butter (for toasting buns)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, simmer the meatballs in marinara sauce over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes.
- Lightly butter the inside of each hoagie roll and toast them in a skillet or oven until golden.
- Place 3–4 meatballs in each toasted roll. Spoon extra marinara sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and broil for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For the best flavor, use homemade marinara sauce; red pepper flakes can be added for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: meatball sandwich, Italian sandwich, comfort food
