Chicken Meatball Sub
Herby baked chicken meatballs in a toasted roll with hot tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.
Made with Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.54 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a tray with baking paper. Mix the chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper.
- 2
Shape into 16 balls, brush with oil and bake for 18 minutes until golden and cooked through with no pink.
18 min - 3
Warm your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) in a pan and add the meatballs. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5 min - 4
Lay the split rolls on a tray, spoon in 4 meatballs each with plenty of sauce, and top with mozzarella.
- 5
Grill or bake for 4 minutes until the cheese bubbles and the rolls are crisp at the edges.
4 min - 6
Serve straight away with any extra sauce for dipping.
Tips
- Chicken mince is soft, so chill the mix for 15 minutes before shaping to make rolling easier.
- Lightly toast the inside of the rolls first so they stay crisp.
- Do not overfill. A little sauce goes a long way in a roll.
Storing and freezing
Keep cooked meatballs in sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Assemble the rolls fresh and reheat the meatballs until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use turkey mince?
Yes. Turkey mince works the same way, though it is leaner, so keep the breadcrumbs for moisture.
Can I fry the meatballs?
Yes. Fry in a little oil for about 8 minutes, turning, until browned and cooked through. Baking is easier for a batch.
How do I make it gluten free?
Use gluten free breadcrumbs and gluten free rolls. Check the parmesan label as well.
More made with basic tomato sauce
Chicken Involtini with Pesto and Mozzarella
GFEFHPJudiones con Chorizo y Costilla (Spanish Butter Beans with Chorizo and Pork Ribs)
GFDFEFPizza alla Norma (Aubergine and Ricotta Salata Pizza)
EFNFBraciole di Manzo al Sugo (Beef Rolls in Tomato Sauce)
GFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.