Simple Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sub Sandwiches
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This week, I’m focusing on recipes that are perfect for serving at your Super Bowl party. Today’s feature is a recipe for Simple Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sub Sandwiches, which are made using three rolls per sandwich—about the size of a traditional hoagie roll. However, if you prefer smaller portions or want more variety for your party spread, this recipe can easily be adapted into slider-sized sandwiches. They’re versatile, easy to assemble, and guaranteed to be a hit with your guests.
The star of this recipe is, without a doubt, the Hawaiian rolls. Their sweet, fluffy texture takes these meatball subs to the next level. While several brands offer Hawaiian-style rolls, I always reach for King’s Hawaiian. Not only are they consistently soft and delicious, but I also love the convenience of picking up a double pack at Costco or Sam’s Club. These larger packs are perfect for feeding a crowd and ensuring you have enough for your party.
If you’re buying rolls from Costco or Sam’s, keep in mind that the double pack includes two sets of 16 rolls, giving you 32 rolls total—more than enough for this recipe. In comparison, the standard package at most grocery stores contains 12 rolls. Whether you’re feeding a small gathering or a big crowd, these Hawaiian rolls make it easy to scale the recipe up or down to meet your needs.
Ingredients for Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sub Sandwiches
- KING’S HAWAIIAN ROLLS
- BUTTER
- GARLIC BUTTER
- ITALIAN SEASONING
- FULLY COOKED MEATBALLS
- MARINARA SAUCE
- MOZZARELLA CHEESE
Instructions for Meatball Sub Sandwiches
For the other ingredients, first, you need some frozen meatballs. Again, here I like to use the ones you can purchase from Costco or Sam’s Club.
You can always make your own if you prefer. They just need to be cooked fully. With this, we are going for convenience, so the frozen version is what I am reaching for.
You also need some marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Just pick your favorite store-bought brand in a bottle. I use the pre-shredded mozzarella cheese but feel free to shred your own.
Lastly, you will need some butter along with a few seasonings. This includes garlic powder and Italian seasoning. You will melt the butter and mix in those seasonings to brush on the rolls and add even more yummy flavor.
To assemble, you will keep 3 rolls together for each of the subs. Then cut a little trench in the center of the “sub,” giving you room for those meatballs to fit in there. Once you have that trench, place them on a baking pan. Now, you are going to brush the rolls and trenches with some of that melted butter mixture.
Then the rolls go in the oven and bake at 350 for 5 minutes. In the meantime, you are warming the meatballs with the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Once you finish those rolls, you will place 4 juicy meatballs into the trench or each sub.
Now comes the shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle some over all of the meatballs in those subs. Then, the subs go back in the oven for another 5 minutes.
That’s it, it’s time to enjoy! Your guests will love them. This also makes such an easy and tasty weeknight meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of cheese for these sandwiches?
Absolutely! You can use your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone cheese, based on your taste preferences.
Can I customize the marinara sauce with extra spices or herbs?
Yes, you can personalize the marinara sauce with herbs like basil, oregano, or red pepper flakes for added flavor.
What sides can I serve with Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sub Sandwiches?
These sandwiches go well with sides like coleslaw, potato salad, fries, or a simple green salad.
For more sub sandwich recipes, try:
- Zucchini Marinara Subs
- Easy Marinara Meatball Subs
- Mini Italian Sub Sandwiches
- Oven Baked Meatball Subs
Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 (12 count) pkg King's Hawaiian rolls
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 16 fully cooked frozen meatballs
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- fresh parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Divide the package of rolls into 4sections, leaving 3 of the rolls connected to make each sub. Cut out a smalltrench down the center of each sub. Place on a baking sheet.
- Combine the melted butter with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Brush each of the sub rolls on top and inside the trench with the melted butter mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.
- In the meantime, add the marinara sauce and meatballs to a saucepan. Warm over medium heat until heated through.
- Fill the trench of each sub roll with 4 meatballs. Spoon any remaining sauce in the saucepan over the meatballs. Then sprinkle with some of the shredded cheese. Place back in the oven and cook for 5 more minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired for serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from King’s Hawaiian.
