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Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs combine juicy, seasoned meatballs with rich and tangy Sloppy Joe sauce, all packed inside soft sub rolls. This hearty and comforting sandwich offers a perfect balance of bold flavors and satisfying textures, ideal for family dinners, game days, or casual gatherings. Customizable and easy to prepare, this recipe delivers a delicious, savory meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatball Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sloppy Joe Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp mustard

Assembly

  • 4 soft sub rolls (gluten-free if desired)
  • Cheese (optional): mozzarella or cheddar slices or shredded

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
  2. Shape and Brown the Meatballs: Form the mixture into approximately 1.5-inch diameter meatballs. Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil and brown the meatballs on all sides until they develop a crust but are not fully cooked through.
  3. Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Using the same skillet, add ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir the mixture and let it simmer until slightly thickened and flavors meld.
  4. Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, coating them carefully in the sauce. Cover and let simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes to cook through and absorb the flavors.
  5. Assemble the Subs: Slice the sub rolls lengthwise without cutting through completely. Place a generous portion of meatballs with sauce inside each roll. Add cheese if using, and optionally toast the assembled subs in the oven until warm and the cheese melts.

Notes

  • Don’t overwork the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
  • Make sure meatballs are uniform in size for even cooking.
  • Simmer meatballs gently in sauce to keep them juicy and flavorful.
  • Lightly toast sub rolls to improve texture and prevent sogginess.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or pepper jack for flavor variety.

Nutrition

Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Meatball Subs, Comfort Food, Sandwich, Easy Dinner