Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich
Hearty Italian meatballs layered with provolone cheese and marinara sauce on a toasted hoagie roll, perfect for a satisfying sandwich meal. This italian-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 slices provolone cheese slices
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 large beaten egg, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly and form into sixteen 1.5-inch meatballs.
- Step 2: Place meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned.
- Step 3: Warm 2 cups marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the baked meatballs and simmer gently for 5 minutes to absorb the sauce.
- Step 4: Cut 4 hoagie rolls lengthwise without slicing all the way through. Drizzle each cut side with 2 tablespoons olive oil evenly distributed among the rolls.
- Step 5: Place 4 meatballs on each roll, spooning extra marinara sauce over them, then top with 2 slices of provolone cheese per sandwich. Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
- Step 6: Serve immediately for a warm, stacked Italian sandwich experience.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stacked Italian Meatball and Provolone Sandwich?
Italian sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
